2020 was the year of unprecedented universal social justice wakefulness.
During the past years, excessive socio-political awareness is manifested
not only by individuals with strong political stances but also by
apolitical people, who rarely publicly engage in such discourses. In the
age of a tumulous political climate worldwide, dismantling injustice and
spreading the feeling of togetherness are the defining actions to take.
While there are many ways to project one's viewpoint, be it political or
personal, fashion is the most immediate mean of proclaiming one's beliefs
and aesthetics. The act of wearing a certain piece of clothing on our
bodies makes it a part of our identity. Fashion is aslo an impression
management tool, and why not use it to make a political statement? A
greater number of young people unapologetically engage in political
dialogue and express their solidarity with the maltreated. Should the
fashion industry, in its turn, project socially awakening messages? As a
billion-dollar industry, it definitely has certain responsibility to do
so. After revisiting the personal archive of fashion imagery and digging
deeper into the subject of social justice and politics in clothing, I
created a list featuring political statements made by 10 labels. They are
bound to make you question the status quo. Read on.
For last year's Pride Month, Jonathan Anderson decided to honor prominent
drag performer and actor Divine (born Harris Glenn Milstead). The designer
hoped for "a celebration of creative freedom and challenging the world
order" by releasing a small collection of three T-shirts and a little
cushion tote bag, centered around "the filthiest person alive" saying
about Divine. Donations were made to Visual Aids Organization (support
system for HIV+ artists) and Baltimore Pride (Black-led LGBTQ+
organization in Divine's hometown).
Mowalola
Lagos born London-based designer Mowalola Ogunlesi took the London fashion
scene by storm. Born in a Nigerian designer family, Mowalola learned early
on the lesson of knowing "who you are" and "where you are from."
Mowalola's grandmother and mom created a "proudly Nigerian" womenswear
label that anchored her love for the homeland in almost every piece she
has produced so far. Most pieces are designed for a fluid representation
of the Black male body with powerful political statements not being bereft
from the designer's work. SS20 "Coming for Blood" collection comprising of
bloody white leather jacket and dress created a media buzz around the
designer and Naomi Campbell, who wore the piece to London Fashion Week.
"This dress is extremely emotional to me, it screams my lived experience
as a black person" - Mowalola's response regarding the accusations of
glamourizing the gun crime.
