# Pre-Presidential Coolness Time Gives Us A Peek at Obama In ‘The College Years' By Elsa Blaine | Published 2008-12-18 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pre-presidential-coolness-obama-the-college-years References: [time](http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1866765,00.html) Time magazine has named President elect Barack Obama their ‘Person of the Year’ for 2008. Back in 1980 when he was a freshman at Occidental College in Los Angeles, a fresh photographer named Lisa Jack snapped these [cool, laid-back images](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sonic-editions). The pres-to-be sure rocks a [Panama hat](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mens-stuff). Guess what’s going to be a hip fashion trend in 2009? The shoot was done in black and white and captures a relaxed, fun-loving Obama. Jack says, “You can see he is just posing, initially, but as the shoot goes on, he starts to come out. He was very charismatic even then,” according to [TIME](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/at-the-edge-of-time). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.7/10 - Popularity: 64% | Activity: 8% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Panama Hat Fashion Trend:** Opportunity for fashion brands to capitalize on the popularity of Panama hats inspired by Barack Obama's cool and laid-back style. - **Black and White Photography:** Potential for photographers and visual artists to explore the aesthetic of black and white photography influenced by the timeless quality of Obama's college year images. - **Charismatic Personal Branding:** Chance for personal branding experts to help individuals cultivate their charismatic image following Obama's example of being charismatic even during his college days. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fashion:** Fashion industry can leverage the popularity of Panama hats inspired by Barack Obama's style. - **Photography:** Photography industry can explore the aesthetic of black and white photography influenced by Obama's college year images. - **Personal Branding:** Personal branding industry can assist individuals in developing a charismatic personal brand following Obama's example. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Vintage Campus Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hollywood-breakfast-club.md) - [Homecoming-Enthused Collegiate Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/homecoming-styles.md) - [Coastal Heritage Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oak-bluffs.md) - [Elevated Collegiate Streetwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-campus-collection.md) - [Celebratory Photo Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sonic-editions.md) - [Music Culture-Fused Streetwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-planes-1.md) - [Palm Beach-Inspired Menswear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mens-stuff.md) - [Viral Political Campaign Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/harris-walz.md) - [Hip Hop Fashion Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fresh-fly-and-fabulous.md)