New York Fashion Week undoubtedly shines a momentary spotlight on designers as the fashion elite flock to the city to sit front row, snack on Propercorn and snap the entire show through an Instagram filter.
So what better opportunity to not only showcase exquisite design but to voice opinion? And that is exactly what Prabal Gurung aspired to achieve through his spring/summer ’17 show.
Never one to shy away from political issues (he created the T-shirts for Hillary Clinton’s political campaign), the designer strives to break the glass ceiling through sartorial means.
And this time, the 37-year-old turned to his mother and ‘hero’ for inspiration. As his show notes read: ‘To my mother, who always wanted to change the idea that the higher you go, the fewer women there are’.
Citing My Life On The Road by Gloria Steinem throughout the collection, the designer wove renowned feminist quotes within his pieces, referencing the likes of feminists such as Susan B Anthony and Emily Dickinson.
With embroidered tees emblazoned with the words of such prominent women in a Tracey Emin style, the collection undoubtedly made a sure-fire statement on feminism within the modern world.
‘Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul’ glittered in sequins upon silky fringed tees. Whilst Susan B. Anthony’s infamous words, ‘They threw things at me then but they were not roses’, features in glittery grey upon a black tee dressed with leather trousers.
What was perhaps most fascinating, was that the feminist quotes weren't pushed through the usually intrusive statement tees and bright slogans found on past catwalks, but through a subtle and rather minimalist collection.
With powder blue chunky knits and open-toe white mules, the collection was very wearable. Hailey Baldwin even made an appearance in a split-leg skirt and buttoned up high shirt after recently being named the face of Prabal’s debut activewear line.
And with the model of the moment proudly donning his designs, here’s to hoping the fashion industry takes note of his sartorial support of feminism.
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