«I massacred for “ladylike”. But even with fashion you launch political messages»- Corriere.it

Alessandra Moretti, MEP of the Democratic Party, she knew what an armochromist was?
I thought it was a generic term for how colors affect mood. Now I know.

Many have learned this after that interview with Elly Schlein in Vogue, a professional who helps you match the colors of your clothes. The secretary of the Democratic Party has been covered in criticism.
They are the criticisms of a society that is not yet able to accept the women who have broken the glass roof. I like to use a slogan: resign yourself, the time has come for women to be themselves. Alda Merini said: if women are frivolous because they are intelligent to the bitter end.

Ten years ago she too was inundated with criticism, she had given an interview on the aesthetic sense of political women coining the Ladylike style (they claim to go to the beautician every week, meches and dyed, and concluding: We must and want to be beautiful, good, intelligent and elegant).

I was massacred for that interview which was a manifesto on women’s freedom: to demonstrate their authority they must not align themselves with a male standard. Nilde Iotti never went out without lipstick. My grandmother taught me: to take care of others you have to take care of yourself.

Elly Schlein was compared to Lady Soumahoro because of her husband’s statement on the right to fashion and elegance…
Even with fashion you launch political messages, precisely with the combination of colors. In the feminist 1960s, clothes became the banner of the revolution. The fight against climate change is also being carried out with the colors of the clothes.

However, the secretary of the Democratic Party was not attacked for the colors of her clothes, but because she said that those colors are chosen by a professional who gets paid and also a lot. What message?


The content of that interview was much more articulated. The secretary touched on many other topics, we only talk about color harmony.

Because what catches the eye. That the secretary of the Democratic Party turns to a professional for 300 euros an hour to get advice on colors has scandalized a lot.

Elly Schlein in that interview sinned by spontaneity, by sincerity. He took off his secretary’s robe and didn’t consider the weight of his words. What he meant: I don’t have time to take care of myself, I don’t know how to do it, I entrust myself to a friend who helps me. She now she is being burned at the stake because she speaks of colours. She addresses the younger generation. She took over a party in a time of trouble. She is working well. I repeat: the problem is women with power in Italy, but also abroad. Giorgia Meloni is criticized for her too austere look. Angela Merkel was targeted for her pastel colors. The problems of women in this country are different.

What problems is he talking about?

Ours is a country that does not help women in their careers. That doesn’t fight wage inequality. One in five women quit their job after the birth of their first child. The attacks on Elly Schlein are forms of intimidation and violence to humiliate our work, our battles, our professionalism.