Anyone who believes that politics and fashion have no connection is mistaken. In actuality, the reverse is true. The relevance of politics in fashion cannot be overstated. Both as a means of manifestation and as a way to control the market. Regulations, laws, controls, and advancements. The non-fashion sector shouldn’t be a lawless place; it isn’t. Politics and fashion ought to go hand in hand, but sadly, that’s not how things operate. Least of all, not yet. The fashion industry “was essentially left off the agenda at COP26,” according to Fashion Revolution. New legislation rarely regulates acts or environmental harm caused by the fashion industry. But this is crucial and unquestionably a start in the right direction towards creating a better industry.
Politics is present in everything. By extension, fashion is also It raises the question of what role politics, and vice versa, play in the fashion industry. Can businesses and designers make political statements that matter? How much of what we wear in our daily lives is influenced by political motivation? Is fashion political, in a nutshell? Politics and fashion are interconnected in a variety of ways, and each of these interactions enlightens us about the origins of clothing, what it means, and how we can use it to the fullest extent to express our true selves.
The relationship between politics and fashion can be read as −
Clothing is a potent visual tool for expressing ideology, whether it be political, social, or religious. The garment can represent both conformity and rebellion in terms of ideology.
Through a piece of clothing, power can be expressed in a number of different ways. Clothing can be used to convey powerful political language. Additionally, it draws attention to social and political changes that cannot be seen through spoken or written structure. Colonial powers used dress to emphasise their dominance during the colonial era. However, a number of conquered nations used the politics of clothing to express their culture and rebel against the colonisers.
Instead of indignation, Mahatma Gandhi chose to dress in a loincloth or dhoti as a sign of humility and ahimsa and to empathise with the underprivileged masses. Africans, however, adapted western textiles for their own purposes. The effectiveness of Algeria’s war of resistance against French cultural hegemony was significantly influenced by clothing choices. Clothing was a common way to express an anti-Western attitude in Tanzania and Zanzibar. Traditional clothing among Tanzania’s Masai community served as a topic of contention during the nation’s transition to modernity.
Politicians are more like binaries than fashion icons. They have obligations to fulfil and uniforms to wear. Politicians do, however, have a reputation and set of ideals to uphold. Politicians all over the world have opted for a look that expresses their philosophy or ideas and have used their clothing as a means of communication in an effort to elicit an emotional response and establish connections with constituents on a local and cultural level. In order to defend their principles in society, they painstakingly develop their style. Their attire contributes to their message. From Kamala Harris in the United States to Narendra Modi in India, all have never wavered in their approach to demonstrating their beliefs.
Nothing survives history untouched. It is challenging to imagine anything in the globalised world we live in that is not continually affected by political, economic, social, and ecological events. It would be the same with fashion, of course. No one doubts that fashion has unmatched power, whether as a reflection of social change or a vehicle for political expression. A highly lucrative sector that deals in haute couture, makes models famous, and fulfils consumer fantasies also has a symbolic narrative characterised by struggles and action that helped to shape modern civilization.
Women have always used clothing as a means of expressing their political views. Women like Queen Marie Antoniette and feminist leaders employed rebellious clothing and accessories long before the “Future is Female” t-shirt trend to make their opinions known to society. The Time’s Up movement is one recent illustration. It was started by Hollywood producers, directors, and actors, and in the middle, it condemned sexual assault and harassment. The swearing-in of US Vice President Kamala Harris was an additional event. The attendees’ varied wardrobes of purple-colored clothing, as well as Mrs. Vice President’s, were the event’s standout feature. Experts remembered that the colour was associated with the suffrage campaign.
She broke rules throughout the campaign by wearing All-Star Converse with her pantsuits, promoting the concept of more contemporary and progressive politics.
The creation of laws for consumer protection is another area in which the government and politicians exercise power linked to clothing. In addition to protecting the environment against exploitation by humans, laws can be created to safeguard customers from unsanitary or harmful clothing goods. The former includes regulations that forbid the use of flammable fabrics in clothing. Laws protecting endangered species, which forbid the use of some animals’ skins and furs in clothing, are an illustration of the latter.
A fashion statement is something that everyone enjoys. Especially those from the political and glamorous worlds. Making a fashion statement is a long-standing phenomenon with a contentious history. It’s similar to putting your heart on display. Powerful individuals have utilised every opportunity to express their affiliation with and support for social concerns through their wardrobe choices. Fashion provides opportunities for self-expression, particularly for wealthy individuals. When words have failed throughout the years, dress has saved the day. It’s safe to say that those in positions of authority influence those around them and spread their message.
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