Fashion has always functioned as a mode through which to reflect what is current in the world at large, and this past week’s events at New York Fashion Week are no exception.
From the top to the bottom of the fashion hierarchy, the entire industry is using their platform to open up a discourse in fashion about relevant and important issues. For some, like the formidable Anna Wintour, it is about taking a stand for securing women’s reproductive rights by sporting a pin emblazoned with a message of support for Planned Parenthood. For others, like the expansive cast of models in Tommy Hilfiger's inaugural west coast fashion show in Venice Beach, it is about wearing a white bandana to show solidarity and a commitment to inclusivity. Also, the runways this past week have been full of bold statement tees with Trump policy-resistant messages — they are arguably one of the top trends of the show.
Fashion activism may appear to be a passing trend in the wake of an overtly political year, but it is important to remember that there are plenty of designers who have always created clothes with a statement.
With that in mind, here's a look at some of the political statements made at NYFW 2017.
Lesser-known designer Mara Hoffman opened her NYFW show with a powerful and somber reading from a whole host of activists including the leaders of the Women's March and Bob Bland, father of Sandra Bland, a black woman who was the victim of police brutality. The reading included quotes from literary and activist powerhouses Angela Davis, Audre Lorde and Maya Angelou.
Vogue's Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour wore a "Fashion Stands With Planned Parenthood" pin in solidarity with her fellow fashion feminists while sitting front row at Brock Collection, a bold way to begin NYFW. The pin goes along with a new collaborative initiative by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Planned Parenthood. The most influential woman in fashion wearing it only helps their cause because it is sure to raise awareness about the importance of the organization's work.
Statement-making shirts may be the new hot thing in the fashion world; at least, that's the conclusion I came to after seeing countless numbers of these garments coming down the runway. One such instance was at Project Runway alum Christian Siriano’s show, where he debuted a shirt that was emblazoned with "People are People” in support of human rights.
This is great publicity because all proceeds from sales of the shirt go to the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU for short. We saw politically-charged slogans at the brand Creatures of Comfort's show where they had also jumped on the bandwagon of slogan tees. Half the proceeds from sales of their shirts will go to the National Immigration Law Center to aid those affected by the recent immigration ban.
Another notable humanitarian fashion moment this week was at designer Thakoon Panichgul’s show, where he and his team sported white bandanas, symbols of the initiative that was the brainchild of Business of Fashion to promote "human unity and inclusiveness amidst growing uncertainty and a dangerous narrative peddling division."
The models at Tommy Hilfiger's Venice Beach show also sported the same white bandanas on their wrists. Gigi Hadid, the star of the show, recently participated in the New York Women’s March in a statement of resistance to President Donald Trump's catastrophic executive order on immigration.
It’s refreshing to see designers putting out pieces that have a message while leveraging their influential positions to bring awareness to important issues and support them. Fashion doesn’t seem like the most likely place for social and political change to stem from, but this new trend is very inspiring.
