The Dior Ready-to-Wear 2018 debuted its distinctive activist fashion statement pieces at Musée Rodin in Paris. From assertive red gowns and floral embroidery on chiffon fabrics to feminist slogans and archival posters that date back to the late 60s, Dior has partaken in the haute couture movement for equality and acceptance by way of runway activist fashion designs and occasionally shocking silhouettes.
What makes this Fall/Winter collection striking is its clear historic heritage. Despite the fact that the outfits are informed by a period of significant political upheaval, creative Maria Grazia Chiuri goes one step further by incorporating the narrative of the past to that of the 21st century garments. Namely, Dior's activist fashion ensembles contain cue's in the form of graphics and motifs, derived from 1968 -- a significant year in France that was riddled with "student protests, workers' strikes and the birth of the women's liberation front."
Photo Credits: Dior
Activist Fashion Runway Shows
Dior's Fall/Winter 2018 Boasts Equality and Female Empowerment
Trend Themes
1. Activist Fashion Statements - Designing clothes with slogans and symbolism that convey social and political issues, and wearing them on the runway with haute couture designs.
2. Historical Narrative Integration - Incorporating the visuals and ideas of previous political movements into contemporary fashion, creating looks that catch the attention of young consumers with an eye for political symbolism.
3. Women's Empowerment Through Fashion - Creating and showcasing fashion that embraces feminism symbols and the female form, which aligns with the changing view of women's role in society, and connecting it with a new group of consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Industry - Bringing socially-aware fashion to the forefront, opening up new markets for products that pride themselves on their environmental and social consciousness.
2. Marketing Industry - Creating campaigns that appeal to the younger generation's desire for social consciousness and political involvement in fashion, carving out a new niche in the marketplace.
3. Textile Industry - Focusing on sustainable garment production techniques, specifically those designed for haute couture-level products, which align with the trend towards eco-friendly and socially responsible fashion.