The Halcyonite

What is fashion activism?

Art has long been used as a medium for societal change. One of the ways in which art is used as a political statement, is fashion. 

Fashion activism has a long history dating back to before even the suffragette movement. However, a recognizable utilisation of fashion was by the suffragettes. They often wore white, green and purple coloured clothing. The white stood for purity, purple for dignity and loyalty and green for hope. Fashion and clothing as a statement and used for activism were largely implemented by women and the feminist movement. 

Decades after the suffragettes, the feminist movement utilised clothing in its activism again by burning bras at a protest. Not really, as this is actually false, and a myth created by anti-feminists to twist the narrative of their true cause. This just illustrates another great way in which fashion is utilised in politics. The origins of this myth date back to the 1960s, and although some bras were burnt in protest, so were many other items and they were not the focal point of the protest. 

However, there are many significant cases of fashion being used for activism other than for the feminist movement. The Black Panther Party had a distinct uniform of leather jackets and black berets. Whilst the BPP didn’t use fashion specifically as a medium for activism, their uniform made the black panthers instantly recognisable, and therefore, their cause as well.

What is fashion activism like today? 

There are many examples from history but it seems like fashion is less important in activism now. Again, this is false. Fashion activism is notable in all political movements even today. Statement t-shirts are worn by athletes on television supporting BLM, Extinction Rebellion dress in red robes while holding funerals at London fashion week and a Maori MP wears a hei-tiki pendant instead of a tie in New Zealand parliament and is ejected. Fashion activism is still a significant part of any political protest and is used still today. Even at Halcyon, green was worn for Earth Day in April. Fashion activism has been used for decades as a form of protest and has been an influential way to inspire change in our society.