Fashion as Revolution
*See Credits "They desired the end of oppressions, the end of tyrannies, the end of the sword, labour for man, instruction for children, social gentleness for woman, liberty, equality, fraternity, bread for all, ideas for all..." --Les Miserables, Saint Denis, Book V
I love fashion. I do. It propelled my move to NYC in 2008, it distracted me during study hall, when I would grab the latest issue of Vogue or Harper's Bazaar off the library shelf in lieu of doing my French homework. Fashion is still a way I decompress and daydream - planning outfits, sharing my favorite lewks from runway shows, helping friends shop for new clothes. But in a matter of days my routine fashion fixes vaporized. And perhaps that was a good thing.
We all know distraction is how we get swindled during a shell game. It's also a key component to how systemic racism becomes a part of daily life - "Quick! Look over here before you can really see and understand social injustice." Fashion doesn't have to be a distraction, though. In fact, it can serve to bolster and inspire an entire movement.
During the French Revolution the Sans Culottes (translation: "Without Breeches") were the working class citizens or citoyens who wore pants instead of the fashionable knee breeches of the time. They literally distinguished themselves and their ideals by their fashion.
Top Photos: Ben Lowy for TIME; Alex Wong—Getty Images. Below: Julian Joseph KyleAnother revolutionary fashion trend is Suffragette White. The enduring symbol of women's fight to secure the right to vote. Side note here from the ACLU Blog: "The history of women’s suffrage in America is not nice or neat, because the impact of white supremacy is broad and human nature is messy. Furthermore, a nation built on stolen land from Native Americans and stolen labor from African slaves is flawed from the start. We must constantly acknowledge this truth and engage in an intersectional celebration of women’s rights activists and landmark events." Wearing white continues to symbolize women's political ambition from Hillary Clinton wearing white to accept the Democratic Nomination for President in 2016, to congressional women wearing all white to the 2019 State of the Union. Suffragette's knew their white dresses would pop in black & white newspaper photos just as modern congresswomen knew it would serve as a stark contrast to the sober black and navy suits of their male colleagues.
So instead of seeing fashion as a distraction, I'm choosing, instead, to see it as an inspiration and way to stay motivated. These days, I'm less interested in brands and more interested in people. I started following more black artists, activists and makers on social media like, Cynthia Erivo & Rachel Ricketts, as one small way to engage. It's certainly not the only way. Or even the right one. But through it, I've discovered fashion that can still inspire.
To the Revolution!!!
Bisous,
HT
PS - If you're heading out to a protest in your most inspired fashions, please BE SAFE!
*Credits: (Left) French School, The Sans-Culotte, nineteenth century, © Bibliothèque des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, France / Archives Charmet / The Bridgeman Art Library; (Right) James Gillray, A Paris Beau, published by Hannah Humphrey in 1794, © Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College, Oxford / The Bridgeman Art Library