Farewell to Lady Reagan!!
Her style was sheer, elegant and practical.
Nancy Reagan will perhaps be always remembered for her style, her staunch support of American designers and her devotion to her husband, president Ronald Reagan. Few will however realize that the elegant silhouette; the whispery voice and the elegant demeanor enveloped one of the most fascinating personalities of US political history.
Nee Anne Francis Robbins, Nancy Reagan became Nancy Davis when her mother married Chicago neurosurgeon Taylor Davis who adopted Anne Francis. Ever since she took the reins of her destiny developing an incomparable talent: to read people. By been able to anticipate people’s moves she was able to puncture the impenetrable “old boys” network prevailing in Hollywood to land several supporting actress roles that brought her to the attention of studio honchos.
On her way to fame she stumbled over Eugene McCarthy who raised the suspicion of Ms Davies’ engagement in what was euphemistically called “anti-American activities”. She turned to the president of the actors union, Ronald Reagan and the flame of love changed her and his destiny.
Upon marriage she took the supporting role of her life. That of the pillar upon which her husband would unfold a political career. She then became essential in two fundamental ways. Building constituencies and keeping the wrong people away. Her constituency building role revolved around two paths. First by researching to understand the heart and minds of American middle class homes to whom her husband was invited on weekly basis through the General Electric Theatre a very successful TV program that allowed president Reagan to share with his audience views about America’s future.
While Mrs. Reagan only made a few appearances at the show, she was the soul of her husband’s performances. Behind the scenes she researched, talked to housewives; attended lectures and mingled with housewives at women’s reading clubs. This activity produced the information she needed to sprinkle her husband’s scripts with an endearing touch and with the knowledge about middle class America’s vision, passion and dreams.
The second path was that of fashion. Mrs. Reagan became close to publishers of women’s magazines and fashion catalogues. And through these connections she soon had access to the rising stars of American designers such as Adolfo; Oscar de la Renta; Bill Blass James Galanos and Carolina Herrera. They became the core group of her efforts to promote US haute couture throughout the world. She chose red as her defining color and imposed the color on the Republican life.
She also promoted women entrepreneurs who in her opinion should always be dressed for success. Her style was sheer, elegant and practical. Her love for her country transpired everything she ever sponsored. In her years alone she continued to be the elegant and determined enjoying the few friendships that had make an impression on her incredible productive life.
