With a picturesque snowstorm ushering in 2017 New York Fashion week, temperatures dropped and furry jackets, hats and bags came out of the closet. So did political statements, made by various designers in protest at President Donald Trump's policies.
Top designers are exhorting people to stand up to #Trump and they're promoting their opposition to the new White House administration.
#Fashion, long known as a liberal and open-minded industry, has always celebrated people of diverse ethnic, sexual and political identities. So it was no surprise that on Friday, as fashionistas donned their denim in support of calvin klein's show, they poured into the venue to watch one of the most political catwalks in recent history.
Is this America?... ask designers
Raf Simons, the Belgian designer presenting his first show at Calvin Klein, blasted David Bowie's #This is Not America twice and gave guests a 'unity' bandana to bring people together. A card in the bandana package read: 'Unity, inclusion, hope and acceptance: Join us at Calvin Klein in wearing the white bandanna. #tiedtogether'
Simons got the job at #Calvin Klein in 2015, after designing for Christian Dior in 2015. He told the audience and the press that his debut collection celebrated inclusivity, acceptance and in his own words – 'different individuals, just like America itself'.
There has been no shortage of political sloganeering on the smaller stages either.
Late Friday afternoon a designer called Raul Solis, sent out underwear printed with slogans 'f*** your wall' and 'no ban, no wall'.
Call your congress
Jeremy Scott, a famously political designer for Moschino, sent out a T-shirt that has a #phone number for Congress on the back. He says he made it to inspired people to get involved and call Congress and be heard.
"We have a right to call. We have a right to demand to be heard. These people work for us."
Meanwhile, Creatures of Comfort had a sweatshirt that read: 'We are all human beings' whilst Designer Diane von Furstenberg wore a pin that supported #planned parenthood.
Planned Parenthood speaks out
And perhaps the unofficial president of New York Fashion, vogue editor #Anna Wintour, decorated herself with the same pin as von Furstenberg.
It read "Fashion Stands With Planned Parenthood".
The pin was created in collaboration between the #Council of Fashion Designers of America and Planned Parenthood, in an effort led by designer Tracy Reese, and supported by Proenza Schouler, Prabal Gurung, Tory Burch, and Zac Posen.
It promotes awareness about Planned Parenthood's work on reproductive rights and women's health.
“We are truly thrilled by the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s show of support for Planned Parenthood at New York Fashion Week,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She added that she was happy that the millions of Planned Parenthood supporters are coming together to protect a woman's right to #reproductive health, citing the 2.5 million patients that Planned Parenthood serve.
“Planned Parenthood has stood defiantly in the face of opposition for a century, and we’re not backing down now. The #American people overwhelmingly support our organization and strongly oppose ‘defunding’ care at our health centers."
Not the usual cocktail conversation that we're used to at fashion parties. Times, the T-shirts are telling us, have definitely changed.
