More than A Statement Piece
While some may see fashion as frivolous, we beg to differ. At its core, fashion is an art form that plays a unique role in society. What we wear and how we style it can say a lot about our values, our interests, and ultimately our identity. For centuries, fashion has been used to make a statement. From luxury brands to streetwear logos, the fashion industry has relied on our need to “belong” as a means for forcing us into endless consumption. However, as the world gets smaller and smaller, the trends are shifting towards something a bit more interesting: the rise of fashion as a tool for activism.
fashion activism is the practice of using style as a means for social and political change.
Swapping social status for a social mission, the rise of fashion activism may be the silver lining we all need during what seems like endless social and political upheaval. Like anything, fashion can be used for good or evil, and those of us who are excited about the future of fashion see it as a tool for creating conversation.
Most recently, we saw the rise of fashion activism during Copenhagen Fashion Week. Keffiyehs stole the show, with many in attendance choosing to incorporate the piece as a symbol of resistance and collective action. The momentum carried into the shows themselves, where one model in particular saw the opportunity to take a stand and remind audiences worldwide of the genocide overseas.
Earlier this summer, Paris Fashion Week saw similar efforts, namely that of designer Willy Chavarria, who used his show as a chance to make a bold political statement, inviting the audience to think more critically about the intersection of fashion and politics.
fashion activism doesn’t just belong on runways. it belongs in our every day lives.
Back in the spring, activist Mary Evers went viral for her embroidery project: Stitch Their Names. The initiative paid tribute to the lives taken during the ongoing genocide, “honoring each individual through the act of stitching their names in fabric.” Out of respect to Oalestinian culture, Mary utilized the craft of Tatreez, a traditional Palestinian art practice, and focused on the colors of the Palestinan flag.
Small designers are following suit, using fashion as a means for expressing what otherwise can’t be said. From textile projects to DIY upcycles, more and more creatives are leaning into fashion activism and exploring its potential to make a statement.
While fashion won’t end genocide or solve world peace, it will continue to create meaningful conversation. With so much of the world seemingly falling apart, fashion may play an interesting role in weaving it back together.