Michelle Obama wore a ‘V-O-T-E’ necklace at DNC, sending Tweeple in a frenzied search

Hours later, Chari Cuthbert, was identified as the jeweller of the custom-made necklace that broke the internet. (Source: AP)

Google Trends notified how the former first lady’s fashion choice led to a breakout search in the country as soon as her speech was aired. The tech giant noted in the one hour after the speech, “Michelle Obama necklace,” “vote necklace” and “letter necklace” dominated searches on the platform.

“Michelle Obama necklace,” “vote necklace” and “letter necklace” are breakout searches, past hour, US –

The necklace is the top trending search on all of US Google in the last hour of the event.https://t.co/I0WiP7r7bt

— GoogleTrends (@GoogleTrends) August 18, 2020

Not only people were moved by her poignant message for the Democratic National Convention, they also loved the subtle message she had put out through her fashion choice. While most people were swooning over her choice of accessory, others got busy Googling and looking for answers where it was from and how they can own it.

If you look closely, Michelle Obama’s necklace reads V-O-T-E pic.twitter.com/5V5LfujLnW

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 18, 2020

Michelle Obama knocks it out of the park for the win!!!

Story continues below this ad

And get into her VOTE necklace. #DemConvention pic.twitter.com/9kevB48wgv

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) August 18, 2020

Where can I buy this Michelle Obama VOTE necklace right now?

— Jennifer Hayden (@Scout_Finch) August 18, 2020

Michelle Obama’s VOTE necklace. An out-of-focus Biden/Harris sign behind her. I think she’s trying to tell us something… I’m gonna vote for that plant. #DemConvention pic.twitter.com/b0dRf0l9cw

— Ana Bretón (@missbreton) August 18, 2020

Michelle Obama’s necklace with a not so subtle message: “VOTE” pic.twitter.com/29L9lbl3zM

— Allison Gordon (@alligordon_) August 18, 2020

my brand is Michelle Obama wearing a “vote” necklace#DemConvention pic.twitter.com/fPzve5jqrm

— Jenna Amatulli (@ohheyjenna) August 18, 2020

Someone find me Michelle Obama’s VOTE necklace immediately please, I need to wear it every day for the rest of my life.

— Amanda Litman (@amandalitman) August 18, 2020

Mom and sister eager to buy one of the ‘Vote’ necklaces Michelle Obama is wearing…

— Susan Glasser (@sbg1) August 18, 2020

I rarely go here, but is it too soon to also notice the glorious styling? The lush espresso satin; the perfect hair; the thin gold hoops; the copper lip; the VOTE necklace (that I must have)? Just divine. Don’t @ me. #MichelleObama https://t.co/nhxC9hGlnr

— Sherrilyn Ifill (@Sifill_LDF) August 18, 2020

Gotta say I’m diggin @MichelleObama ‘s #vote necklace! 😉 Her message is on point too!! 👏🏻

— Vicki Tori Uh (@Vicki_Tori_Uh) August 18, 2020

Love the subtle message on Michelle Obama’s necklace. “VOTE”! pic.twitter.com/4Iqf6gsBIM

— Grace ☀️ #BLACKLIVESMATTER (@GraceMacjones) August 18, 2020

The letters on Michelle Obama’s necklace spell “VOTE.”

If I loved her any more, my heart would leap out of my body.

— erin_writes (@wombat_writes) August 18, 2020

.@MichelleObama’s VOTE necklace is all I need right now.

— Kate Waters (@K8_Waters) August 18, 2020

Okay, can we all take a moment to appreciate Michelle Obama’s “Vote” necklace?! 😍 pic.twitter.com/U4j7LxuF89

— Angela (@anzawose) August 18, 2020

I loved @MichelleObama #Vote necklace…me trying to find one now #DemConvention pic.twitter.com/wJmaMMQer6

— Dblmint02 (@Dblmint02) August 18, 2020

That “vote” necklace @MichelleObama is wearing is a great touch! And it is just about to go viral and be sold out. #DemConvention

— Kenneth Baer (@KennethBaer) August 18, 2020

As the search continued, many people found out designers and jewellers selling alphabet necklaces worn by Obama on Etsy and rushed to order. However, CNN identified the actual designer for Obama, saying its custom-commissioned by her stylist from Los Angeles-based jewellery brand BYCHARI, owned by a designer Chari Cuthbert.

I never imagined that something I’m so passionate about could mean so much to so many! The response has been incredible and I am beyond honored and humbled that @michelleobama wore my design. pic.twitter.com/rbkEZ7HUei

— BYCHARI (@ByChari) August 18, 2020

“I had created a VOTE necklace for the last election and knew I was going to do it again,” Cuthbert told PopSugar about the $430 ByChari statement gold chain worn by Michelle Obama. “As we started our outreach, I was honored when Michelle Obama’s stylist asked for one, and am thrilled she is wearing it!”

According to a report by Daily Beast, her stylist ordered the ‘Vote’ necklace from ByChari a few weeks ago, but the designer didn’t know the former first lady had planned to wear it for the DNC speech. “There was a snippet from her DNC speech on CNN and my mom sent it to me,” Cuthbert said. “I couldn’t believe it. Out of respect, I didn’t post it or anything, because I didn’t want to take advantage.” Talking about how she felt seeing it, she added: “It was surreal. I sat at my desk and cried.”

The designer said her phone hasn’t stopped ringing and she has been flooded with orders. Cuthbert said her company—which consists of five female employees—had seen what she humbly called “a significant uptick in sales” in the hour after the speech.

Over the years, Michelle Obama has used fashion as a political statement either through choice of colours or designers. During her tenure, she was often credited for championing small and culturally diverse fashion and accessories designers.