Feminism has been a recurring trend in fashion over the decades, and the past few seasons have followed the historic trend. This time, it was during Paris Fashion Week at the Dior S/S17 showcase with a t-shirt bearing the words "we should all be feminists." This caught my eye because I love when a topic close to my heart is advocated for from a platform also very close to my heart. I knew that this was something I had to report on. I nearly lost my mind when Chanel dedicated their entire show-closing to a very spirited feminist protest during PFW Spring/Summer15, which drew criticism over whether or not a runway was the best place to support the movement. As much as I wanted to enjoy the moment, I knew the criticism was warranted.
As I mentioned, we've seen this kind of brazen support for feminism through the years from other fashion houses such as Rodarte and Diane von Furstenberg, and quite frankly, I'm not entirely sure when we're going to start walking the walk instead of just talking the talk. It is true that fashion has made marvelous strides in connecting to some of the true messages of feminism, including embracing everyone's body type rather than just one specific type (thank you Ashley Graham and Zach Miko), but we still have a long, winding road ahead of us. Hopefully, at the end of this road, we will see all types of people on the runway regardless of size, color, gender, or sexuality.
To further support gender-equality, Dior has recently undergone significant (but genius) changes to their roster, including a new creative director by the name of Maria Grazia Chiuri, who is the first ever female CD for the house of Dior. She was formerly the creative director of the Italian fashion house Valentino, and she is more than qualified for her new position at Dior. This change comes during a strong moment for women, which will hopefully last longer than a moment. We are fighting for equality for both men AND women, and it looks as though fashion is starting to prick up it's ever-aware ears.
I would love for Dior's message to be from a place of sincerity within the brand, especially from the first woman to ever be Dior's creative director, but the fashion industry is very difficult to label as "feminist." The business is notorious for dictating what is beautiful and how we should all view our own bodies, and it is difficult to call that equality. However, more and more "plus size" men and women, or just regular sized people, have graced runways for fashion week- thank you Christian Siriano. More women have been placed in positions of power, such as Chiuri's hiring at Dior. I am hoping against hope here, but maybe fashion's new foray into feminism will finally stick. Perhaps is sending the message that with her new position and S/S17 collection, fashion is finally ready to make the shift to a more universal and attainable body image for all.
