Independence Looks Different This Year: Political Apparel for a New America
I Wear My Heart on My Sleeve—And My Opinions on My Clothes: Political Apparel
At my previous company, Soofa, which I founded out of MIT Media Lab's Smart City group and led as CEO for a decade, I focused on sustainability and equity—bringing smart, solar-powered infrastructure to cities across the U.S. My work was kickstarted by President Obama, whom I deeply admire. Having a leader who was informed, thoughtful, and made so many of us feel heard and safe was profoundly meaningful to me. That moment stands in stark contrast to what we’re witnessing today. I’m furious at the treatment of immigrants in a country that was built by them—one whose most iconic symbol, the Statue of Liberty, stands with an arm outstretched to welcome everyone. So let's put her on political apparel.
I riffed with my husband Ian and we put her on our statement t-shirt for our Independence Edit - BORN IN THE USA and a whole political apparel drop.
Forget the Red, White & Blue Selfies—Make a Statement This Independence Day
Everyone I know posts a photo looking cute on Independence Day—smiling in red, white, and blue, holding flags, sipping from patriotic cups. It’s the norm. But this year, let’s shift the focus. Instead of just celebrating, make a statement with political apparel. Wear political apparel that reflects what you stand for—whether it’s Riff Haus’s “Immigreat” tee or any piece that sparks dialogue—and post that. Let your outfit say what you believe. This Fourth of July, be more than festive—be fearless.
Riff Haus’s “Immigreat” tee isn’t just bold—it’s timely. Amid ongoing immigration raids in Los Angeles, where protests and curfews have polarized the city, wearing political apparel that reclaims the immigrant identity becomes more than fashion—it’s political apparel.
The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees that the government cannot take away a person's rights to “life, liberty, or property, without due process of law”- SHOUT that reminder at your uncle's BBQ in this DUE PROCESS sleeveless dress - political apparel at its best.
Our “Immigreat” tee? That’s not just personal style—it’s solidarity.
LA Politics and Pride Collide - Political Apparel
In LA, the line between fashion and politics has never been thinner.
- ICE raids in the Fashion District led to dozens of detentions—laying bare the city’s deep reliance on immigrant labor.
- Curfews and protests turned the streets into battlegrounds, as LA’s sanctuary status collided with federal force.
- The craziness is everywhere I look.
These events helped shape the Independence Edit, our collection of political apparel designed for a country at a crossroads. And what better time to wear your values than on the Fourth of July? Whether you’re making a quiet statement in our Due Process cami dress or sparking conversation with cheeky Patriotic BBQ prints (think bacon slices and George Washington riffs), this is fashion with a point of view. Our 2nd Amendment tees and swimwear add yet another layer—reminding us that political apparel isn't just personal style, it's solidarity.
Final Thought On Political Apparel And My Role As A Entrepreneur AND DESIGNER
This Independence Day, LA isn’t just celebrating fireworks—it’s witnessing active protest, solidarity, and political expression. The “Immigreat” tee isn’t just clothing—it’s a declaration. In a city where every corner resonates with immigration debates, this shirt speaks volumes without saying much.
As a founder, designer, and unapologetic supporter of equity, I’ve always believed that what we wear can reflect what we stand for. From founding and leading a hard-tech company out of MIT in the male-dominated world of smart cities and government innovation to investing in organizations like Hack.Diversity alongside my family—I’ve never been shy about pushing for representation, especially where it’s long overdue. As a female founder, I’ve had to navigate boardrooms, funding meetings, and political circles not built for me.
My response? Build something better. And yes—fuck the patriarchy—because the systems that silence, gatekeep, and erase have no place in the future we’re designing. Political apparel is one more way I channel that mission: wearable resistance, statement by statement: POLITICAL APPAREL