There’s no denying the backlash the new First Family have faced from the fashion industry since the inauguration of Donald Trump on 20 January.
Designers such as Tom Ford have refused to dress First Lady Melania Trump in retaliation to her husband’s controversial policies while it was revealed this week that Nordstrom has dropped Ivanka Trump’s fashion label.
And now New York Fashion Week has been deemed the ultimate political platform as designers send their rallying message out on the catwalk.
Prabal Gurung
A proud feminist, Prabal Gurung, is no stranger to making a political statement on the runway. And this season was certainly no exception.
Models including Bella Hadid donned t-shirts emblazoned with phrases such as 'The Future Is Female' while Prabal even wore his own tee with the words, 'This Is What A Feminist Looks Like'.
Raf Simons' Debut Collection For Calvin Klein
Raf Simons’ debut collection for Calvin Klein saw models walk to David Bowie’s, ‘This Is Not America’, setting off the tone for non-subtle political protest. The show notes emphasised the designer’s aim to depict the ‘unique beauty and emotion of America’ in the ‘coming together of different characters and different individuals’.
Stereotypically patriotic garments such as cowboy boots, western shirts and the American stripes were re-invented with male and female models donning the same attire. Perhaps a subtle indication that men and women should receive equal rights under the reign of Trump...
Creatures Of Comfort
On Thursday evening, cult label Creatures of Comfort sent out models donning T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase, ‘We Are All Human Beings’.
LRS’ Debut Collection
Knickers bearing the words, ‘No Ban, No Wall’ were coveted at LRS’ debut show on Friday in reference Trump’s recent immigration ban. The president caused controversy after preventing nationals from seven Muslim countries entering the United States of America and all Syrian refugees from seeking asylum.
The White Bandana
It was recently announced that the Business of Fashion has launched a social media campaign in the wake of Trump’s controversial policies, entitled #TiedTogether. The aim is to prompt people to wear a white bandana and share the image via social media, ‘as a sign to the world that you believe in the common bonds of humankind - regardless of race, sexuality, gender or religion’.
And the campaign has already received support from designers such as Prabal Gurung, Philip Lim and Diane Von Furstenberg. The Tommy Hilfiger show on Thursday also saw models take to the catwalk bearing the white bandana on their wrists, a clear message for Trump.
READ MORE: Raf Simons Makes Political Statement In Debut Collection For Calvin Klein