The Intersection of Fashion and Politics: How Activism Shapes What We Wear

By Kanika Vohra, Co-founder at ICH NEXT: One of the biggest intersections of fashion and politics in the international history is the Indian freedom movement, when Indians boycotted machine-woven foreign clothes as a symbol of protest against the British imperialism.

Instead, the sons of soil went for hand-spun khadi clothes, making it a strong and powerful statement of the tryst for independence.

It was during this period that the charkha or the spinning wheel emerged as a powerful representation showcasing the essence of India’s independence and rich heritage that laid the foundation of self reliance.

In fact, to make another political statement, Indians collected their foreign made clothes on major intersections and burnt them.

The statement was loud and clear – just like Khadi clothes, the countrymen were ready to embrace all things ‘swadeshi’. And this was one of the major points in history that proved that a dress can be a symbol of both support as well as revolt.

The impact of fashion on politics and vice versa can be seen world over. Lady Diana has been known for her iconic looks. She took to fashion working her way with the politics around the Royal family.

Lady Diana’s fashion statement ensured that she shone amongst the royalty and made her own mark. She became the symbol of holding her own principles in the Royal family synonymous with strict rules and traditions.

Even decades after her death her fashion looks during major events of her life are not just talked about but revered in very high esteem.

In 2018, the recruitment of non-conformist African descent designer Virgil Abloh as Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear ready-to-wear line became a bold statement by the company where they wanted to talk about inclusivity.

He became the first person of color to hold such a prestigious position. This also created more inroads for people across the globe to aspire for such positions.

Big brands and such activism at global levels goes a long way in ensuring that inclusivity is not just a word but a powerful way to bring together people across the globe.

Another good example is the ‘All together collection’ launched by Stella McCartney in 2019 inspired by the Beatles spreading the message of peace, love and togetherness.

A tribute to her father Paul McCartney, the collection featured a variety of garments with mismatched patches that shared the message in different languages and created pieces that were truly timeless.

Stella McCartney also has strong views on animal rights and sustainability. She has steered her company to source and develop eco-friendly products and created a distinctive brand positioning in the fashion world. And this is clearly an example of activism shaping what we ultimately wear.

Closer home, Indira Gandhi, the first woman Prime Minister of the country always donned exquisite Banarasi sarees and handlooms connecting with the craftsmen of India.

The current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is also often seen sporting kurta pajamas and jackets made by Indian artisans. In recent years, sustainable fashion activists in India have been advocating for eco-friendly and ethical fashion practices.

It has also been seen that activism in India has significantly shaped the fashion landscape by promoting indigenous textiles, advocating for gender equality and inclusivity, encouraging sustainable practices, and celebrating cultural diversity.

This dynamic interplay between activism and fashion continues to evolve, reflecting the changing social and political milieu of the country.

Activism is a feeling that gets easily expressed through fashion due to its visual nature. Youth of India has expressed their emotions through fashion on multiple topics of equality, sustainability, LGBTQ and more.

And we can only expect more and more people to find fashion as the right medium to express their emotions and seek support for social causes, thus making this world a better place to live in.

Read business articles related to Sales, Marketing, Advertising, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Management, Education, and Industry at SugerMint.  Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn