POWER DRESSING

Runway shows and strong campaigns are probably the best ways to reflect the shift in society and talk about issues that matter.

- PRIYANKA KATHURIA

For the 96th Academy Awards, celebrities including Billie Eilish, Mark Ruffalo, and Finneas O’Connell were spotted wearing red pins, not just as accessories, but as a symbol of solidarity. The pins had a deeper meaning—a call of action for a ceasefire in the ongoing IsraelHamas war, and advocating for peace in Gaza. Fashion can become a powerful tool to narrate stories and make impactful statements about socio-political issues. However, this concept is not new. Most of us remember Princess Diana’s iconic revenge dress, designed by Christina Stambolian, which changed the way a woman was expected to behave after a divorce. Meghan Markle, following in her footsteps, is also known to send out definitive statements with her outfits. A great example would be the emerald green Emilia Wickstead cape dress she wore to the 2020 Commonwealth Day, right before the retirement from her royal role. Things are not so different when it comes to brands. Using runway shows, and strong campaigns with a well-thought-out message are probably the best ways to tap into the consumers’ emotions and talk about issues that matter.