Introduction
Fashion, often celebrated for its creativity and aesthetic appeal, has evolved into a powerful medium for addressing critical social and political issues. Designers across the globe are leveraging their collections and fashion shows to challenge norms, provoke thought, and inspire action on pressing matters. These events are more than mere exhibitions of clothing; they are immersive experiences where every detail—from the choice of venue to the lighting and music—can communicate a message. Designers can create thought-provoking narratives by curating collections that symbolize broader societal concerns.
Themes such as war, climate change, abuse, and inequality are explored through provocative garments and striking shows. Anti-war statements emerge in shredded military-inspired designs, while climate change is highlighted with recycled materials, melting glacier prints, or catwalks staged in sand or ice. Asymmetrical pieces, contrasting textures, and bold slogans address inequality, while torn fabrics and empowering messages symbolize resilience against abuse. However, these shows often spark controversy, questioning whether the medium trivializes the message.
Controversial runways amplify these themes, blending activism with shock value. For example, apocalyptic landscapes or landfills serve as backdrops for collections critiquing environmental neglect, while protest-inspired shows feature choreographed marches with bold slogans. Some designers evoke discomfort with bound or constrained models to spotlight oppression, risking backlash for sensationalism. While these presentations can ignite critical conversations, their power lies in striking a balance between thought-provoking artistry and respect for the causes they represent.
Abuse
One of the most striking examples of fashion addressing abuse and societal violence is Alexander McQueen’s Highland Rape collection (AW 1995). This controversial runway show featured models in tattered dresses, slashed tartans, and distressed fabrics, evoking a haunting visual narrative of violation and survival. The models appeared as though they had just emerged from moments of violence, with their garments deliberately designed to look torn and messy, as if ripped during an act of assault. Bare shoulders, exposed flesh, and asymmetrically shredded clothing added to the unsettling effect, creating the impression of women grappling with the immediate aftermath of abuse.
The models’ movements intensified the impact of the show. Staggering, with smudged makeup and disoriented expressions, they conveyed a raw vulnerability that felt disturbingly real. Blood-red accents on some garments further hinted at the brutality of the unseen act, contrasting sharply with the stoic or defiant gazes of the models as they continued to walk the runway. McQueen transformed the catwalk into an emotionally charged battlefield, using the traditional patterns of Scottish tartan to link personal trauma to the historical-cultural assault of Scotland by England.
The lack of conventional glamour was deliberate, stripping the runway of any comforting aesthetics to ensure the audience felt the raw emotional weight of the theme. Through this powerful display, McQueen forced his audience to confront both the physical and cultural scars of violence, making Highland Rape one of fashion’s most provocative and enduring statements.
Feminism
Another memorable example of fashion addressing society issues is the Chanel spring 2015 collection designed by Karl Lagerfeld. The show ended with a protest supporting feminism, where models like Cara Delevingne, Caroline de Maigret, Kendall Jenner, Georgia May Jagger, Gisele Bündchen and even male model Baptiste Giabiconi, alongside Lagerfeld himself, marched down the “Boulevard Chanel”, resurrected at Grand Palais, with megaphones and signs that featured powerful slogans like “History is Her Story”, “Feminism not Masochism”, “Women’s Rights Are More Than Alright” and “Free Freedom”, a sign that was perhaps a reference to the Free the Nipple movement. On one of the banners was written “He For She”, in support of Emma Watson’s campaign on the principles of gender equality.
Dressed in bolder, more masculine take on the suit, vivid technicolor florals, military-inspired olive tones, striped knits and a timeless uniform: a white blouse and a black miniskirt. The collection featured garments that are not limited to the protest, they are made for everyday wear. Women can visualize themselves wearing the designs casually on the street while chatting with a friend, just as the models walked the runway in pairs. The protest theme was implied in accessories, such as a crystal-studded whistle necklace, a bag imprinted with the words “Make Fashion Not War” and a clutch with the slogan “Feministe mais feminin”.
But the clothes aren’t the only element of this runway show that sends a message. The music was chosen to match the atmosphere, Whitney Houston’s “I’m Every Woman” blasted through the speakers as the models walked, emphasizing the idea of feminism. The decorum of the show resembled a French street, surrounded by golden-vanilla stone buildings with adorned facades and the usually elegant seating were replaced by rows of benches divided by guard rails.
CONCLUSION
Fashion has always reflected the ways in which society fluctuates, but today is more than just a mirror of cultural change. It’s a method of enacting change and raising awareness wherever possible. Whether it’s a fashion show morphed into a protest event, a statement addressing abuse and violence or advocating for equal rights and environmental sustainability, the industry is reinventing its role in the battle against injustice and oppression. People with careers in the industry, designers, models and brands are using the power of fashion to spread ideas, challenge norms and inspire change. In a world where people communicate through visual symbols, fashion remains a powerful instrument that allows individuals to push back against oppressive systems and assert their identity. Clothing becomes a tool for activism and change.
