Style Adapts, Fashion Reflects
Fashion is something that seems to be surface level, but it truly goes much deeper than that. Like most forms of art, if not all, there is an extremely fun and playful side to fashion, as well as a cultural and political side. The multi-dimensional nature of fashion is one of the reasons why I love it so much.
If we look all the way back to the suffragette movement, we can see how social shifts have always directly affected fashion. Women’s skirts got shorter and clothing became less bulky. In the 70’s, the search for peace, love, and freedom was clearly portrayed in the clothing. Some clothing had literal peace signs, in addition to clothing being looser and lighter. In the 90’s, the grunge scene came alive and the fashion trends of that time clearly reflected so. Fashion is not only one of the biggest indicators of what is happening in society at a specific time, but it reflects how society is feeling. Now that is something so special.
We live in a pretty crazy world right now. There is a lot of change taking place and many unknowns. One collection that immediately comes to mind on this topic is Pyer Moss’s Spring 2020 Collection. The designer, Kerby Jean-Raymond, presented a truly breathtaking show, narrating the black experience in the United States. Kerby Jean-Raymond told the story starting with slavery to racial segregation, as well as the marginalization that still remains, and then the appropriation that impacts African American culture. He referenced artists of the Harlem Renaissance, as well as modern ideas. The collection, along with the full show, was absolutely stunning and will go down in history as one of the most sensational runways.
Pyer Moss is just one example of how fashion can influence and reflect social change. As society recuperates from the pandemic, I am hopeful for the positive impact that fashion, and all art, will have on the country and the world.
Strike Out,
Writer: Lilah Ulitsch
Boca Raton