Don’t be surprised if a Maryland native who works outside of politics takes a marquee role this week at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, helping the party’s leading ladies look their best.

Christian Siriano has the golden touch when it comes to dressing women in the political sphere — whether first ladies or the potential next leader of the free world. His designs have been worn by political notables during significant moments.

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who will close the convention with her speech Thursday night, rocked a custom Siriano business wear ensemble — a Bordeaux-colored fitted blazer and a matching pair of straight-leg pants — at the 2023 State of the Union Address. At that time he wrote on Instagram: “Iconic moment for team Siriano, Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris in custom Siriano tonight at the #stateoftheunion. Wow we are so honored thank you.”

When Harris was endorsed in July by President Joe Biden to be his successor, Siriano took to social media and gushed about the current vice president. “What an honor to create suits for you @kamalaharris and I can’t wait to do it again!” he wrote with a heart emoji and the hashtag #kamalaharris.

Siriano, an Annapolis native and first ever Marylander to win “Project Runway,” might be the Democratic party’s favorite designer.

First lady Jill Biden wore a lilac sleeved wrap-dress by Siriano to the 2020 Democratic National Convention. In June, Biden returned to Siriano for a patriotic navy blue silk crepe crop sleeve dress imprinted with “VOTE” in bold white lettering at a rally in North Carolina.

When former first lady Michelle Obama delivered her famous “when they go low, we go high” speech at the DNC in 2016, she wore a Siriano creation — a cobalt-colored cap sleeve dress with full skirt. She’s scheduled to speak sometime this week.

Oprah Winfrey, who was an early supporter of former President Barack Obama and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, has worn Siriano’s designs for the cover of “O” magazine, at movie premieres and other red-carpet events.

Maryland’s first lady Dawn Flythe Moore turned to Siriano to create a strapless pink ball gown with a “little bit of a train to it,” for the inaugural “People’s Ball” the night her husband was sworn in as Maryland’s first Black governor. That frock was fashioned after a gown Flythe Moore said she saw on Siriano’s Instagram account. The Moores — rising stars within the Democratic Party — are expected to remain on the national radar for years to come.

“Personally, I love how fashion has become a part of this conversation. It shows the power of style and highlights the way it creates our identity to the world,” said Lana Rae, one of the stylists who helped the Moore family achieve sartorial success during the governor’s campaign and inauguration. “Right now, there’s no bigger platform than politics.”

Siriano, a Baltimore School for the Arts alumnus, isn’t shy about making his opinions known. He has repeatedly infused his fashion shows with political and social nods, having previously supported LGBTQ rights, a national gun violence prevention organization, Planned Parenthood, and actress Cynthia Nixon’s unsuccessful bid to be New York’s governor.

He has also gone as far as saying at his Fall show in 2017 he couldn’t see himself dressing first lady Melania Trump, even though he dressed Michelle Obama on several occasions.

“I don’t think I could support anything associated with the [Trump] White House and its policies,” he said.

Also known for embracing diversity on the runway by showcasing models of various races and sizes, Siriano seems a natural fit for the future of the Democratic Party— which is leaning into inclusivity, according to Zoey Washington, a Baltimore-based lifestyle journalist.

“Wearing Christian Siriano means more than just looking amazing — which you most certainly will — it means you align with a message of inclusion that reflects the true nature of this country,” said Washington, a former fashion editor for publications such as Vogue, Elle, People Style Watch and Essence.

From a style standpoint, Siriano’s designs are an ideal choice for women who want “high impact” fashion that doesn’t overshadow the person wearing it, Washington said.

“Christian has the unique ability to put his stamp on a look, whether it’s a pantsuit or a red carpet gown, without sacrificing the personality of the wearer,” she said. “If Kamala does become our next president, she will have to wade unprecedented waters of navigating her natural femininity and beauty without losing sight of her commanding presence. No one knows that those two characteristics aren’t mutually exclusive more than Christian.”

Rae said she would be shocked if we don’t see Siriano’s designs in the mix in Chicago and beyond.

“His silhouettes and styles are elegant, sophisticated and timeless, yet they still feel youthful and a little bit of fun. They check off many boxes that make his work so appealing to the usually stuffy political world,” she said.

Siriano has mastered the art of not revealing which celebrities are wearing his clothes until they step into the spotlight and has held true to form heading into the DNC. His Instagram account has no hints as to what celebrity creations he is working on. He couldn’t be reached for comment for this story.

With Siriano’s track record successfully dressing powerful Democrats paired with the fact that he is an American designer with a more approachable price point than a Gucci, Chanel or Valentino, celebrity stylist Pascale Lemaire wonders which notable first secured his services.

Lemaire, who is based in Silver Spring, learned the hard way in 2016 when she reached out to the designer for an ensemble when then-Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake took the gavel in Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention.

“He has a long-lasting relationship with Michelle Obama,” said Lemaire, who styled then-second lady Biden for a 2014 cover shoot and spread for Capitol File magazine. “When I reached out to his team, they declined, saying that they wanted to but were already committed. It turned out he was dressing Michelle Obama. The big question will be has Michelle already locked him in?”

If Siriano gets the chance to dress Harris at the DNC, Lemaire hopes that she opts for a more fun color like cerulean blue, the greenish-blue shade made famous in “The Devil Wears Prada.”

“I think she could pull off a bit of color and still be taken seriously,” she said.