There comes moments in time when the century turns, when societal perspectives or norms change, new ideas are embraced throughout the world and what used to be ostracized begins to ascend to the forefront of influential conversations. We are debatably living in that era and the Fashion industry is cashing in on the action with the rise of fashion statement garments. Fashion statement garments have become a powerful tool to perpetuate impactful messages about all sorts of critical issues that affect humanity like feminism, #blacklivesmatter, LGBTQ, civil rights or equal pay.
Celebrities such as Amber Rose and Blac Chyna took to the 2015 VMA’s red carpet donning fashion statement couture that expressed their controversial views on body ownership and sexual freedom for women. Rihanna, Tammy Rivera and Mel B (who some assume took a swipe at her estranged husband with this look) were seen out wearing Discount Universe’s ‘You will never own me’ Bralet dress, while Monica Brown wore a R13 Denim dress that wrote “God Save America” while visiting in New Orleans. We can’t help but share her sentiment after all that has transpired in United States this year alone.
This trend is giving a new meaning to ‘the politics of fashion’ with fashion houses designing clothing with messages that are more provocative, daring and some even vulgar. Designers Ryan Lobo and Ramon Martin of Tome fashion house joined the fray with several other notable designers like Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman of Marchesa as well as Brandon Maxwell, Adam Selman and Michelle Smith of Milly who made political statements at this year’s action-packed New York Fashion Week by sending some of their models onto the run way wearing pink pins that read “fashion stands with planned parenthood.”
This display was spearheaded by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, which partnered with Planned Parenthood to garner support for growing women’s issues. Wearing this trend requires a level of fierce bravery and principle and we commend all people, famous or not, for demonstrating this character in style.
