Fashion and Social Issues: Addressing social issues through fashion
Fashion holds tremendous power as a platform for sparking meaningful social change beyond its function of covering our bodies. As one of the most influential global industries, the fashion world has a responsibility and opportunity to address pressing social justice issues facing humanity today. Top designers are now leveraging their voices and creations as instruments for promoting awareness, inclusivity and sustainability. The hope is shifting mindsets within the industry can positively impact societies worldwide.
Confronting Industry Biases
A glaring social issue connected to fashion is lack of diversity across tabloid covers, ad campaigns and runways perpetuating a very narrow beauty ideal. The majority of models featured still tend to be thin, white women representing only a microcosm of the female experience. But paying more thoughtful attention to casting and visual representations can help combat exclusivity.
Brands like Gucci and Calvin Klein now actively hire racially diverse, differently-abled and size inclusive models to better reflect realities of the human spectrum. Rihanna’s lingerie label, Savage x Fenty, particularly stands out with unretouched photos and runway shows presenting a wide array of skin tones and body types as aspirational. Even offsetting able-bodied poses can subconsciously encourage mobility-challenged customers to visualize themselves wearing featured apparel.
Magazines and media outlets additionally bear responsibility for projecting diversity. Vogue landed on the right side of history with Kamala Harris’ history-making February 2021 cover. And Harpers Bazaar won praise for featuring 93-year-old icon Iris Apfel last year as well. Such inclusive representation helps offset ageism, sexism and racism prevalent throughout past fashion coverage.
Gender Norm Defying Attire
The fashion industry also influences perceptions of gender identity and expression through clothing designated for men versus women. But a growing number of high profile designers now offer gender fluid collections. Gucci, Comme des Garçons and Christian Siriano routinely incorporate feminine silhouettes and detailing into menswear alongside masculine cuts for women. Billy Porter memorably arrived at the 2019 Oscars in an embroidered velvet tuxedo gown made by Siriano to challenge gender constructs.
Even big box retailers like Zara, H&M and Abercrombie Kids have debuted unisex apparel for adults and children. Using non-gendered language and showcasing the same articles on diverse model pairings works towards establishing clothing itself does not inherently carry an assigned sex. Genderless garments allow all patrons increased freedom aligning external appearance with inner truths.
Sustainable Production & Ethics
Environmental sustainability represents a monumental area where fashion must progress to curb its massive pollution footprint. Apparel manufacturing currently generates over 92 million tons of solid waste and 20% of all industrial wastewater annually according to the UN Environment Programme. Most garments also contain polyester and other fossil fuel-based fibers that release microplastics into waterways andenvironments when washed.
However more brands now offer eco-conscious plant-based materials like pineapple leather and bamboo derived rayon plus recycled textiles diverting waste from landfills. Manufacturers must also upgrade production to be energy and water efficient, moving towards closed loop systems that conserve resources.
Labor rights and safe working conditions likewise demand urgent improvement, especially in developing countries. Watchdog groups report many major labels still exploit garment workers through below minimum wage compensation, unreasonable quotas and unsafe facilities. Customers increasingly demand fair trade certifications and transparency around sourcing and subcontracting though. When 1,135 victims died in the 2013 RanaPlaza collapse, it ignited closer inspection of the human price behind fast fashion. More companies now engage third parties to independently audit factories and confirm compliance with safety standards and labor laws.
While incremental, these changes indicate fashion leaders acknowledge shortcomings of the status quo model. By pioneering more regenerative materials and ethical methods, the industry can guide consumers towards valuing sustainability and social accountability when making purchases.
Designers Driving Change
Individual designers also leverage their brands as catalysts for large-scale change. Stella McCartney built an accessory empire completely leather and fur free over two decades ago. Gabriela Hearst, Sebastian Gunawan and Gaurav Gupta rely on indigenous artisan textiles and techniques – preserving cultural legacies while empowering marginalized craftspeople.
Lurex designer Aurora James simultaneously spotlights racial injustice and economically empowers communities of color through accessories crafted in Africa. Each item comes with an insert highlighting grassroots organizations to support like Essie Justice Group and The Okra Project. Self-taught Detroit shoemaker Tany Paloma similarly empowers locals through an eponymous footwear collection sustainably fabricated in Motor City using recycled tires.
Veteran style icon Vivienne Westwood routinely hijacks runways and red carpets to broadcast political messaging. She often wears bold slogan tees urging action around causes like income inequality and climate change while distributing informational pamphlets backstage. Westwood believes fashion represents the ultimate communication conduit for driving progress saying, “My message is political. Fashion gives me a platform to communicate.”
By imbuing production, messaging and company culture with mindful values – designers make space for customers to literally wear beliefs on our sleeves. Even modest purchasing choices then help nourish more ethical enterprises and reinforce shared vision for world where diversity, sustainability and human dignity become normalized.
Shopping Our Values
When athletes and celebrities use status to champion equality, environmentalism and inclusion – it brings vital exposure to these issues. Likewise when labels thoughtfully embed social consciousness into each stitch – it awakens customers to realize purchases hold power as either catalysts for positive change or contributors to the status quo.
Transitioning the entire fashion supply chain clearly requires sustained collective pressure, but small actions matter when multiplied by millions. Every informed decision to support businesses authentically governing and giving back with integrity inches humanity towards the just, equitable future we envision. So let us all see our bodies as vehicles for values – and consider dressing as active practice for nonviolently influencing cultural change.
Confronting Industry Biases
A glaring social issue connected to fashion is lack of diversity across tabloid covers, ad campaigns and runways perpetuating a very narrow beauty ideal. The majority of models featured still tend to be thin, white women representing only a microcosm of the female experience. But paying more thoughtful attention to casting and visual representations can help combat exclusivity.
Brands like Gucci and Calvin Klein now actively hire racially diverse, differently-abled and size inclusive models to better reflect realities of the human spectrum. Rihanna’s lingerie label, Savage x Fenty, particularly stands out with unretouched photos and runway shows presenting a wide array of skin tones and body types as aspirational. Even offsetting able-bodied poses can subconsciously encourage mobility-challenged customers to visualize themselves wearing featured apparel.
Magazines and media outlets additionally bear responsibility for projecting diversity. Vogue landed on the right side of history with Kamala Harris’ history-making February 2021 cover. And Harpers Bazaar won praise for featuring 93-year-old icon Iris Apfel last year as well. Such inclusive representation helps offset ageism, sexism and racism prevalent throughout past fashion coverage.
Gender Norm Defying Attire
The fashion industry also influences perceptions of gender identity and expression through clothing designated for men versus women. But a growing number of high profile designers now offer gender fluid collections. Gucci, Comme des Garçons and Christian Siriano routinely incorporate feminine silhouettes and detailing into menswear alongside masculine cuts for women. Billy Porter memorably arrived at the 2019 Oscars in an embroidered velvet tuxedo gown made by Siriano to challenge gender constructs.
Even big box retailers like Zara, H&M and Abercrombie Kids have debuted unisex apparel for adults and children. Using non-gendered language and showcasing the same articles on diverse model pairings works towards establishing clothing itself does not inherently carry an assigned sex. Genderless garments allow all patrons increased freedom aligning external appearance with inner truths.
Sustainable Production & Ethics
Environmental sustainability represents a monumental area where fashion must progress to curb its massive pollution footprint. Apparel manufacturing currently generates over 92 million tons of solid waste and 20% of all industrial wastewater annually according to the UN Environment Programme. Most garments also contain polyester and other fossil fuel-based fibers that release microplastics into waterways andenvironments when washed.
However more brands now offer eco-conscious plant-based materials like pineapple leather and bamboo derived rayon plus recycled textiles diverting waste from landfills. Manufacturers must also upgrade production to be energy and water efficient, moving towards closed loop systems that conserve resources.
Labor rights and safe working conditions likewise demand urgent improvement, especially in developing countries. Watchdog groups report many major labels still exploit garment workers through below minimum wage compensation, unreasonable quotas and unsafe facilities. Customers increasingly demand fair trade certifications and transparency around sourcing and subcontracting though. When 1,135 victims died in the 2013 RanaPlaza collapse, it ignited closer inspection of the human price behind fast fashion. More companies now engage third parties to independently audit factories and confirm compliance with safety standards and labor laws.
While incremental, these changes indicate fashion leaders acknowledge shortcomings of the status quo model. By pioneering more regenerative materials and ethical methods, the industry can guide consumers towards valuing sustainability and social accountability when making purchases.
Designers Driving Change
Individual designers also leverage their brands as catalysts for large-scale change. Stella McCartney built an accessory empire completely leather and fur free over two decades ago. Gabriela Hearst, Sebastian Gunawan and Gaurav Gupta rely on indigenous artisan textiles and techniques – preserving cultural legacies while empowering marginalized craftspeople.
Lurex designer Aurora James simultaneously spotlights racial injustice and economically empowers communities of color through accessories crafted in Africa. Each item comes with an insert highlighting grassroots organizations to support like Essie Justice Group and The Okra Project. Self-taught Detroit shoemaker Tany Paloma similarly empowers locals through an eponymous footwear collection sustainably fabricated in Motor City using recycled tires.
Veteran style icon Vivienne Westwood routinely hijacks runways and red carpets to broadcast political messaging. She often wears bold slogan tees urging action around causes like income inequality and climate change while distributing informational pamphlets backstage. Westwood believes fashion represents the ultimate communication conduit for driving progress saying, “My message is political. Fashion gives me a platform to communicate.”
By imbuing production, messaging and company culture with mindful values – designers make space for customers to literally wear beliefs on our sleeves. Even modest purchasing choices then help nourish more ethical enterprises and reinforce shared vision for world where diversity, sustainability and human dignity become normalized.
Shopping Our Values
When athletes and celebrities use status to champion equality, environmentalism and inclusion – it brings vital exposure to these issues. Likewise when labels thoughtfully embed social consciousness into each stitch – it awakens customers to realize purchases hold power as either catalysts for positive change or contributors to the status quo.
Transitioning the entire fashion supply chain clearly requires sustained collective pressure, but small actions matter when multiplied by millions. Every informed decision to support businesses authentically governing and giving back with integrity inches humanity towards the just, equitable future we envision. So let us all see our bodies as vehicles for values – and consider dressing as active practice for nonviolently influencing cultural change.