Fashion Played Politics

This Was the Year That Fashion Played Politics and Lost

If 2015 was a year of (mostly) shocking and delightful developments, this past year was one in which the fashion industry got serious—well, a little more serious, at least. 

Proving that good style doesn’t just mean pretty clothes, designers used their platforms to jump into the political fray.

There were political and presidential declarations made; attempts to tackle gender and diversity; and the loss of one of fashion’s most beloved.

In 2016, we also fell even more in love with our two favorite style queens—Michelle Obama and Beyoncé. We eagerly watched as the rousing game of musical design chairs continued… and as Kanye West attempted to make not one, but two grand fashion statements; and we crowned the Hadids our new favorite fashion sisterhood.

Fashion Declared #imwithher

During the September shows at New York Fashion Week, a flurry of designers proclaimed their allegiances loud and proud—bows were taken in pro-Hillary Clinton get-ups, “I’m With Her” merch was designed and donated, and statements of support were cheekily made.

Vogue led the charge with its first ever official political endorsement backed by some serious fundraising work by editor in chief Anna Wintour. 

But, alas, even the support of the queen of fashion—not to mention a campaign wardrobe heavy on the king of All-American design—could help ensure victory for Clinton. The fashion world woke up on Nov. 9 facing a new dilemma: Who’s willing to dress Melania Trump? Results are still coming in, but it looks like this may be the next big political divide.

But At Least We’ll Always Have Michelle Obama

The first lady is determined to leave her sartorial mark on the White House. From established brands like Oscar de la Renta and J.Crew to up-and-comers like Jason Wu and Brandon Maxwell, Obama has not only shined in looks that are fresh, modern, and often innovative, but she has also taken pride in promoting America’s hometown talent. The FLOTUS fashion watch has been endlessly entertaining, but, more importantly, it has also been a reminder of the power of fashion to communicate new ideas and sew support for the American fashion team.

The Never-Ending Game of Musical Chairs Plays On 

The new year started by giving us answers to our most pressing questions: Bouchra Jarrar was appointed the head of design at Lanvin and Maria Grazia Chiuri broke up the Valentino band and went solo at Dior, with her former partner Pierpaolo Piccioli doing the same at Valentino.

Hedi Slimane took his final bow at Saint Laurent in February (and won a $13 million contract dispute with YSL), making room for Anthony Vaccarello to take over the legacy brand.

Ahead of the September shows, Raf Simons landed at Calvin Klein after departing Dior last year, and Diane von Furstenberg (who is married to Barry Diller, chairman of IAC, the parent company of The Daily Beast) quietly stepped aside and appointed Jonathan Saunders as chief creative officer. And don’t even get us started on the slew of celebrity collaborations that swarmed the runways as the changes at the top kept coming.