It is a popular belief that fashion is a shallow occupation for skinny white girls who are too stupid to do anything else. In the past, it was a popular belief that a woman’s uterus would slide out of her body during train trips. This proves that popular beliefs are usually quite stupid because a) I have never noticed a woman’s uterus sliding out of her body during a train ride, and b) this fashion month had extreme political undertones.
It all started with Vivienne Westwood, known for her activistic action, who presented a collection about the effects of climate change in Venice. Thus the plain outfits were actually an homage to the Venetian tradition of the masque worn by both male and female models. She also left a note on each seat inviting the fashionably dressed attendants of the show to join her at the People’s March for Climate Justice and Jobs in London.
Miuccia Prada is also a person interested in politics. Her Miu Miu collection was confusing. It had glitter shoes and kitsch nylon-looking night gowns and coats and midi pencil skirts in autumnal colours and fur stoles… Confusion was Prada’s goal. As she said, “Really, Miu Miu was about irrationality. The times we are in are extreme. There’s conservatism on both the right and left in politics. And then, people look for escapes from it, attracted to strange religious beliefs or underground clubs and music.”
As you read this, 65 countries are taking part in wars, and this proved to be great inspiration for many fashion houses. Versace and Philip Lim both presented collections strongly based on military style with army green colours taking over. At Burberry Prorsum they actually used the same textile and fabric that is used to create the Queen’s guards’ embroidered uniforms.
Written by Vogue is Viral’s Fashion Editor indizzy