Fashion and politics had a love-child, and its name is activism.

Political supporters no longer have to defile their cars with a bumper sticker to show their support for the new president. Instead, the Presidential Inaugural Committee with its “Runway for Change Inaugural Collection” wants to outfit you in Obama swag.

The Inaugural Committee hit the ground running by fusing fashion and politics in an effort to raise money for Inauguration Day. Designers such as Zac Posen and Derek Lam lent their creative efforts in support of the 44th Presidential Inauguration.

Indeed, fashion and politics have reached their pinnacle this year. Although not politically in-your-face, Michelle Obama upped the fashion ante since donning a runway creation by Narciso Rodriguez on Election Day. If you ask me, Rodriguez must get down with the Obamas, as he, too, contributed to Runway for Change.

Is the Obama gear too much? Is it creating a notion of celebrity that needs to stay separate from politics? Maybe. It depends on the motive. Some vendors seem to be exploiting all the excitement to make a quick buck.

“I think [the Runway for Change clothes] are more long-lasting than a lot of the stuff I have seen here,” said Rachel Bailey, a senior magazines major who’s in Washington, D.C., for the inauguration festivities. “Some [souvenir shirts] were homemade, others reminded me of something you would see on a redneck guy at the VFW,” Bailey said.

Many of the designers who took part in Runway for Change intentionally left politics out of the design.

A shirt from designer Derek Lam, for example, was inspired by politically-neutral ticker tape. The imagery expressed the idea of “dialing back to zero because we’re starting fresh,” said Lam in an interview with the Associated Press. “We’ve hopefully moved past the partisanship, and we’re all celebrating the inauguration of a new president.”

Still, many may wonder if this apparel is going to be “so over” after Inauguration Day. It won’t if you ask me.

Each shirt, scarf and tote has wearability. It’s like wearing your school colors after a big game. Showing support of our president, whether you voted for him or not, is essential in this push for change.

So, in a few days, months, maybe a year, go ahead and “Ba-rack” that election or Inauguration Day shirt that might be at the bottom of your drawer. Hopefully, it will bring you back to Jan. 20 and the dawn of a new era.

Obama, if you’re reading, I’ll be trolling the Web site in a few days to check if the Zac Posen shirt is on sale. I want to contribute all I can monetarily, but hey, I’m a college kid after all and I, too, am awaiting some change.

- Karla Misjan is a contributor for The Red & Black.