Power to the People

Pink "pussy hats" as they are known with their pointed corners, came to represent solidarity and women's rights when they (we) marched on Washington.  The handmade knitted hat first became a thing for the pussyhat project  and took off from there.  They were all the rage at Missoni!  From political to spiritual, grassroots to runway, we are consciously making our intentions known!  Whether exploring feminism, immigration, global warming, spirituality, mysticism and more, there is a smorgasbord of messages to be explored.

Ashish,: Matteo Volta

Good examples of when mixed messages make sense!

Versace,ph: Gio Stainao

Francesca Liberatore

Political, ethical, sustainable was the name of the game at TOME.  The clothes were recycled from seasons past and the Peruvian alpaca applied to some of the clothing was hand knitted by women in the Andes.  Giving back has become a personal anthem by many feeling the effects of practicing gratitude and wanting to be part of a larger conversation.

#tied together is a message started by The Business of Fashion.  It was all over the runways, especially at Tommy Hilfiger.  If you see white bandanas tied around a wrist on the street, you'll know it is most likely statement making.  It is a message of unity, inclusiveness.

Michael Tommasiello with his large social media following helped speed the message that was near and dear to his heart.

ph: Adam Tschorn for LA Times

Subtle, inconspicuous messages are on trend as well.  Maybe you don't want to "hit someone over the head" with a statement making message.  Designers gave us a lesson in spirituality with their designs or the accessories that accompanied them.

The dragonfly is a symbolic spirit animal because it represents traveling between different realms.  Wearing it close to your throat means that it is to speak with an inner voice.  We are all connected to what is happening all around us.  Gucci gets it.  It is not dissimilar to wearing something red near your throat.

I have been looking for a reason to bring out my feather earrings from a few years ago.  Lanvin is doing it, so I am too!  Feathers represent an angelic realm, especially if you randomly come across one.  They move gracefully through the wind and the wind means change of direction.  Clarity and communication, like the wind move us in different directions.

Richard Tisci of Givenchy was going back to basics.  Women are fighting for empowerment all over the world, not just in America he said.  He wanted to get grounded and went back to basics ~ mother nature.

Fashion speaks volumes, literal or not.  The winds of change, magical in meaning, might make this the year of statement dressing!  Fashion does shy away from controversy.  Designers dive right in, explore and deconstruct topics of interest and inspiration and this past fashion week was as subversive as I can remember.   Show after show, models strutted their stuff dripping in slogans or symbols.   Whatever your message, there is a T-shirt for that or hat or scarf or coat or bag...

In the words of Lin Manuel Miranda, "Love is Love is Love is Love"