Michelle Obama ‘Vote’ necklace has DNC viewers voting yes – CNET [CNET]

This story is part of Elections 2020, CNET’s coverage of the run-up to voting in November.

Michelle Obama spoke Monday night at the virtual Democratic National Convention, and her necklace spoke to many viewers. Obama was the final speaker during the DNC’s first night, and discussed the importance of voting in this fall’s presidential election while wearing a gold necklace that spelled out V-O-T-E.  She encouraged listeners to register to vote and to “vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris like our lives depend on it.”

While Obama never mentioned the jewelry, and the necklace was subtle, many viewers not only noticed, but wanted one of their own. As soon as her speech ended, social media users began posting asking where they could buy the necklace.

“Psst, Biden team: Start selling that vote necklace Michelle Obama is wearing and you’ll fund ads for the next 77 days,” Christina Reynolds tweeted.

Representatives for the Democratic National Convention and for Michelle Obama did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But CNN White House correspondent Kate Bennett quickly reported the necklace was custom-made by jewelry business By Chari.

“The small, boutique jewelry business is owned by Chari Cuthbert, whose business is based in Los Angeles,” Bennett tweeted. “A similar necklace costs between $300-$400.”

A representative for Cuthbert did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Michelle Obama has always been extremely conscious that whatever she wears will likely sell out, and as such often champions smaller, less-well-known labels and brands, many with culturally diverse owners/designers,” Bennett tweeted.

Just a week ago, Cuthbert, 36, spoke to Time Magazine about shifting her small company to a work-at-home business during the coronavirus outbreak. Her company has a special focus on mothers, she told Time, and work-life balance was very important to her.

“We’ve been really pushing that message of self-love,” Cuthbert said. “Just taking a little time to yourself, even though we know with screaming kids in the background, it’s kind of impossible.”

If the VOTE necklace proves as popular as it seemed after Obama’s speech, Cuthbert’s staff may have a little less time to themselves soon. “She’s about to be VERY BUSY,” wrote one Twitter user.