“Fashion is not somethin
in dresses only. Fashion is in the
street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way
what is happening.” So said Coco Chanel, someo
understood the power of fashion, and its ability to
and impact, what is happening in the rest of the
From Mademoiselle Chanel, who helped liberate
with her sportswear-inspired designs and the ic
Chanel suit; to the sufragettes, who wore femi
clothing in white, green and purple while ighting
women’s right to vote in Britain; clothes have be
used as political tools and statement makers for centurie
Today, in the age of #MeToo, the idea of clothing
as a movement is alive and stronger than ever.
Wearing black in support of the Time’s Up
movement, many actresses (and a few actors) used
their outits at the Golden Globes 2018 as a way
to kickstart conversations—at interviews, on social
more. Some might argue that red-carpet rebellions are hardly
revolutionary. But there’s no denying that images matter, now
more than ever. By successfully coordinating a sartorial
blackout—one that was echoed all over Instagram—Time’s
Up managed to shine the spotlight on its initiative, push for
change, and open the loodgates for the idea of the red carpet
as a modern protest ground.
Amidst a sea of guests dressed in their takes on the theme,
“Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination”,
Lena Waithe stole the show at the Met Gala in a rainbow
cape over a black suit.The openly queer writer-producer
posted an image on Instagram with the caption, “This
epic moment of defiance was brought to you by
@carolinaherrera”. Waithe represented the LGBTQ commun
and made a powerful statement, without having to utter a
Days later, Kristen Stewart’s barefoot revolt made headlines
the world. The jury member protested the unoicial “no
lats rule” at Cannes by removing her heels after walking
most of the red carpet, then walking barefoot up the stairs.
Her act of deiance was one of multiple demonstrations
that took place at the festival this year, including the 82-strongAMUSING
FASHION REVOLUTION
Annabelle Fernandez explores
the power of clothing
rmy led by jury president Cate
Blanchett to protest the lack of
female i lmmakers honoured
over the history of the festival.
Just as celebrities have been
using the red carpet to make
a statement, designers are doing
the same on the runways.
Maria Grazia Chiuri has made
feminism a cornerstone
of her collections since
becoming the first female
r at the House of Dior, inspiring plenty of discussion
n’s rights. For fall/winter 2018, Chiuri was inspired
s student protests of 1968, plastering Dior’s set with
igns and magazine cutouts from that year. The clothes
the spirit of resistance, opening with a sweater
ng the phrase “C’est Non Non Non et Non!” Miuccia
da has been making feminist statements with her
ctions since the very beginning, and fall/winter 2018
o dif erent. Called “Nocturne”, the clothes were the
of Mrs Prada’s musings about the night, and the
dom to go out after dark; her neon pieces with
rtswear and industrial inl uences serving as armour
r army of followers.
x Mara, a brand that has long been the go-to for
en looking for armour in the boardroom, presented
ollection based around the idea that “the implicit strict
rmity of power dressing leaves now room for the
g Girl’s self-expression”. Unlike in the ’80s, when
wer suit reigned, power is no longer about dressing like
der to break that glass ceiling. Instead, it is about having
m to dress however you want, whether that means
suits by wearing them in pastel shades, or ditching
hem for animal prints or leather. In 2018, you wear a
suit—or a black gown, a rainbow cape, or no shoes—
because you want to, not because you have to.And that,
is truly the epitome of power dressing today.■
Send me your comments on Instagram: @neonwatermelonThe
STYLE
HARPER’S BAZAAR JULY 2018 71
Clockwise from top left:
Kristen Stewart goes barefoot at
the Cannes Film Festival. Dior
fall/winter 2018. Lena Waithe at
the Met Gala. Prada fall/winter- Max Mara fall/winter 2018
ANNABELLE FERNANDEZ
Sub EditorPHOTOGRAPHY: 123RF.COM; SHOWBIT; TPGVIP/CLICK PHOTOS; COURTESY OF PRADA AND ADRIEN DIRAND FOR DIOR
gg xxisssss
,
wewe e
wwhhhho
t,t,t,t
..
mn
ooncc
ineen
eses.ed a d
re hardlyaaaa
Bbb
nity,
word.
acrosstissttic DcDirecectoto
abb tt m
yy i
oettts
e
baraii
Prad
llee
s nn
reult
free
sporr
form
aacc
oo
inin
thepow
amaninord
thefreedom
reclaiming
th
Clockwisefromtopleft: