The #Trump boycotts continue – reaching deep into the power circles of New York Fashion Week.
This week, industry players are demanding a boycott of #Trump Models, only days after celebrities Tyra Banks and Jessica Alba and companies Nordstrom and TJ Maxx switched out their Trump products.
Hair stylist, models, stylists and makeup artists are all resisting working with Trump-represented catwalk models – and it's given fashion week an even more politicized angle.
Fashion site Refinery 29 reported on Thursday that hairstylist #Tim Aylward announced he was no longer working with Trump Models.
The agency represents a wide range of models and personalities such as Paris Hilton, Carol Alt and lesser-known names. His post went viral and drew support and acclaim.
Fashion designers love to be political
#fashion designers are no strangers to speaking out against issues that they care strongly about – from AIDS, to LGBT issues to #immigration and even more personal issues, such as when Alexander McQueen wore a T-shirt supporting Kate Moss in her time of media scrutiny.
But there has never been such a coordinated and one-sided response, as seen this past week in #New York. Never before have stylists, makeup artists and others embraced the cause en masse, together with big name designers.
Styles influenced by protests
Unsurprisingly, the content of the past week's fashion shows have veered toward all things protest-related, with white bandanas of unity and #Planned Parenthood pins featured on prominent celebrities and at big events.
Calvin Klein sent models down the runway to David Bowie's song #This is Not America.
Prabal Gurung’s celebrated show featured models strutting along to John Lennon’s “Imagine,” brandishing T-shirts with catchy slogans such as 'The future is female', 'We will not be silenced' and 'Revolution has no borders'. The models also sported the white bandanna of unity.
Designer Christian Siriano presented models in ruffled, metallic gowns, in a seemingly traditional show… until a model stepped onto the catwalk wearing a T-shirt that said 'People are People'.
The Depeche Mode song of the same name played out to a roar of thunderous applause. The shirt can be bought online from Siriano to help the #American Civil Liberties Union.
Trump is a big challenge for the fashion industry
Trump has presented the fashion industry with various challenges since he made derogatory remarks about women in the election cycle. From the thorny issue of how to dress the First Lady to doing business with Ivanka Trump, it has been a complicated time for those used to working with and embracing the President and his family's wardrobes.
Traditionally it has been good for business to dress the POTUS's family. #Michelle Obama's enthusiastic relationship with up-and-coming American designers such as Jason Wu and Tracy Reese galvanized the fashion industry's relationship with the White House unlike ever before.
It also helped paint Michelle Obama in a flattering light since she was seen as supporting fresh talent.
Not everyone is anti-Trump
Trump Models asserts that it is at 'the forefront of cultivating a wide range of innovative and vibrant talent which personify the trends of the fashion industry'. It also employs a significant number of #immigrants on US visas, which people pointed out on Twitter yesterday.
Others voiced their disagreement with the #Trump Models boycott. Suzy Schwartz wrote on Sunday: 'banning @TrumpModels only effects the models and the agency and the agents. Zero effect on Trump. It's so wrong!!!'
