Fashion’s Loud Response To The Administration
The Fashion Industry is speaking out louder than ever. Since the 2016 November Presidential election, we have seen retailers and designers voice their opinion over the Trump administration. Perhaps the most direct statements came from 2017 New York Fashion Week, displaying controversial slogans down the runway.
Designers are not afraid to speak out, creating pieces that reflect their political views. The fashion industry is a full-fledged platform now to protest the administration, fighting for women’s rights and the goal to make health primary for everyone.
Who’s Fighting For Equal Rights?
Recent women’s marches all over the nation exemplified popular support for keeping health care organizations who provide abortions federally funded and protected, due to new passing legislation, states are now allowed to withhold funding from health care organizations that perform abortions such as Planned Parenthood.
Women deserve the same access to health care as men, that echoes across the country now more than ever. Health is Primary is a public communication campaign that fights for equal and fair healthcare. The aim is to fight for a primary healthcare system that reflects the needs and values of all Americans. #MakeHealthPrimary is a hashtag with a lot of buzz on social media and is quickly getting noticed.
Fashion As Protest Expression
Major retailers are currently walking a tightrope in this hyper politicized administration. A first sign of rebellion in the industry was Nordstrom, on Friday February 3rd, Nordstrom removed Ivanka Trump’s brand from their stores and paid for it publicly by the President. The President made it a point to speak out on the matter, saying his daughter Ivanka was being treated unfairly. Nordstrom claims the brand was not performing well and they decided to drop it.
If consumers are boycotting the brand, it is not smart to keep it on the shelf.
Under Armour’s chief executive, Kevin Plank called President Trump a “real asset”and hours later the hashtag #boycottunderarmour surfaced and social media exploded with angry protests. Consumers are making a political statement in their shopping decisions, and other retailers are feeling the pressure!
Public Service & Design Collide
In another bold fashion move from a traditional source, Ashley Biden’s clothing line “Livelihood” is made in United States and gives back to underserved American communities. Ashley is the daughter of former Vice President Joe Biden, she is a social worker in Delaware. She has a first hand look at the lack of resources in the community and is using her platform for good! She partnered exclusively with GILT, 100 percent of proceeds will be donated to low-income areas in Wilmington, Delaware, and Anacostia, Washington, D.C.
This is something President Trump and Ivanka Trump can’t say about their own brands. Ashley Biden is a great example of a woman in power, using her resources to give back. Unlike President Trump’s budget proposal, which include more than a third of the $15.1 billion in cuts that would affect the National Institutes of Health, the government’s main engine of biomedical research, which has long enjoyed strong bipartisan support in Congress.
Resistance Goes Mainstream With Brand Names
To culminate these recent political protests, 2017 New York Fashion Week had in attendance top celebrities, social media “IT” girls/guys and activist ready to speak out on the first Fashion Week of the Trump Administration. To tie into the mood of fashion week, “This is not America” by David Bowie opened the first show. The political charged designs that walked down the runway this year at fashion week were loud and clear.
A large series of designers are worth mentioning from Fashion Week. Top Shop Unique, for example, makes a reference to the rebel 90’s club scene in London, the collection is streetwise with a feminine charm. Public School makes a very direct statement by sending models down the runway wearing “Make America New York” red caps. The collection also included jackets messages “We need leaders, 44 1/2, FEMINIST AF” making this their strongest collection to date.
Gypsy Sport starts the show with a political speech and the collection reflects the times with a militant style to each piece. TOME came out with a collection inspired by the Women’s March, their women rule t-shirts and protest wear headlined the show.
Perhaps the most angry designer is Jeremy Scott, creating a whole collection surrounding the administration. The shirts in his collection displayed the phone numbers of congressmen printed in the back. His message was clear, we worship celebrities and elected one into office.
Fashion has a very unique role in society today, we want to express ourselves in the wardrobe we wear, protest, and show support in the things we believe in.
Nancy Corrales is the Lifestyle Editor of The #MakeHealthPrimary Journal and a Brand Ambassador for Dress A Med. She’s an active member of the city of Los Angeles, her most recent work includes styling an ad campaign to reelect Mayor Eric Garcetti. She grew up in the inner city of South Los Angeles and loves to give back to the community! Nancy is a full-time stylist that’s in love with her craft. She enjoys forecasting trends and has a keen eye for contemporary fashion. She is a proud graduate of Cal State Northridge with a degree in Fashion Merchandising. Read more by Nancy at dressamed.com.
