Bratmobile; riot grrrl band known for sewing together their own dresses.
I recently read an interesting article in ELLE collections magazine; which posed the question:
Is fashion-feminist?
One writer generously pointed out that yes, of course fashion is feminist! Fashion constantly represents power to women. The power to choose. The power to shoes. As if Balmain's power shoulder aka 'shark fin shouldered blazers' wasn't enough proof that with fashion comes power; but it's about the power to choose what we wear, how we wear it and with what. Making a statement through iconic style or even a simple accessory has become not just impression-busting but stereotype-breaking.
Another writer ravenously noted that the outfit does not make the woman which debunks the idea of the power essence retrieved from said apparel; but it is the woman that makes the outfit. An example was given as well-the writer said: "I could wear my knee high boots with four inch heels and feel powerful-i own the look...but at the same time some other woman may wear this and let the heels own her hence falling victim to fashion. So no, fashion is not feminist"
I definitely can relate to both sides of the argument well.
Growing up I never really had anything to which I can call my own. My mother was a sociopath, rummaging and destroying anything that belonged to me of value. From throwing away records, to ripping up artwork, to trashing posters of my favorite music groups/fashion photography and reading all diary entries before throwing any writings I had away-she hated it all and stifled any creativity I had.
It was overwhelming to never have any creative outlet-to constantly be judged and criticized by my mother. She never understood that I painted, wrote, illustrated and created these prepubescent stylized collages for myself.
Only me.
She didn't understand my angst for the world; especially how I expressed it.
All I had left was my power to choose what I could wear, my own personal style. It left people to mis-understand me even more-but I didn't care. Fashion became my new outlet, ever forgiving, ever accepting, ever beautifying and ever mine.
Unfortunately she swiped that from right under me as well; nope...couldn't have clothes of my choice either, anything I bought that she didn't approve-she'd toss in the garbage (which was everything!) while I was either asleep or at school. Clothes that I would even borrow from friends-she had thrown away.
As I grew older (or shall I say grew away from my parents); I adapted a new sense of self, fashion became a greater part of me and I can now finally call my style my own. Some kids used fashion as a tool to get attention, to become more appealing, to look cool, to exemplify a music taste or a lifestyle, or even status; but I use fashion to be free.
So yes & no fashion is feminist.
To certain people it is a powerful tool to express their beliefs, their joys, their selves in general. To others, it is exploited to mis-represent themselves in a way that is to their liking.
