I got that passion in my pants: The intersection between Fashion and Politics

Rap trio Salt-N-Pepa in their early year's. Lady Gaga in the famous “Meat Dress” at the MTV Music Awards 2010. Photo: Getty

The other day I found myself scrolling through the absolute depths of my camera roll, past all the random screenshots of my lock screen, past the old ball photos with the horrendous fake tan, all the way to what I deem the ‘what the fuck’ phase. The ‘what the fuck’ phase was the age where I was starting to learn to dress myself (yup, not good). I would put together leggings and jean shorts, different assortments of sunglasses and jewellery, and think I was the hottest shit to ever exist. Sneaking into Mum’s closet to try on the highest heels possible and wearing the must repulsive pink fairy dresses all while listening to Taylor Swift’s “You Belong with Me” in the living room was my literal heaven. Little did I know, the “What The Fuck” phase was the beginning of me exploring how fashion would play into my own personal identity and express what I wanted to say to the world. 

Fashion is integral to how we express ourselves. From Band T-shirts to Doc Martens, to the friendship bracelets we wear, everything we adorn ourselves with is a direct reflection of our inner selves. Making statements about society through the vessel of fashion is becoming increasingly more common with the fashion sphere. Beneath the gowns and the glamour, often there is more depth. So, without further ado, here are some of the best crossovers between political messages and fashion.

‘Beyonce’ is a name synonymous with icon status. Deemed “Queen Bey” by her adoring fans, the musical sensation is known for her insane vocals, ridiculously intricate dance routines and, most importantly, her dedication to uplifting and celebrating the black community within her music. Beyonce’s music is often tied to her own personal experience of feeling marginalised as a black woman in America. Her seventh and most recent studio album Renaissance, released in 2022, provides a radicalised reconceptualizing of what a new America could look like for Black, queer, and trans folk. In 2016, the musician set foot to the half-time Superbowl 50, with what The Guardian writer Jessica Elgot believed to be “most radical political statement from the superstar in her 20-year career.” The musical sensation and her back-up dancers were dressed in head-to-toe black, donning black berets, all whilst dancing to her hit single Formation from her album Lemonade.

All these fashion elements were put together to pay homage to the Black Panthers, and their formation fifty years ago. The Panthers were a revolutionary organisation, who fought for Black rights, particularly against police brutality. The homage was considered controversial but participated nonetheless in creating political noise and encouraged conversations about the treatment of black lives in America. 

When it comes to fashion, the Met Gala is usually what springs to mind. The Met Gala could be considered the world’s most prestigious charity ball and fashion event, with popstars, influencers and actors taking to the carpet in elaborate outfits. The publicity of the event goes everywhere; celebrities have used the excessive coverage as a platform to advocate for social change. 

If we are talking positive political statements, Billie Eilish’s take on the 2021 theme “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” takes the cake. The pop sensation broke out of her classic oversized T-shirts, black and green dyed hair and opted for a nude-coloured tulle ballgown. This came after a hefty influx of criticism in the media regarding Billie’s body. The celebrity responded by taking ownership over her body into her own hands, flaunting her curves and strutting down the carpet in the gown.

Billie Eilish at the 2021 Met Gala. Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Shuttershock.

Not only did the outfit serve as a statement about owning her own curves and femininity, but the singer is perhaps the only guest in Met Gala to instil an ethical policy in exchange for wearing the dress. Billie, who is also an animal rights activist and vegan, has been notorious for only working with companies that do not use fur. This consequently led to Oscar de le Renta forever abolishing the use of fur within their own company in exchange for wearing the gown. Upon interviewing Billie, The Times said she was “honoured to have been a catalyst” in the change of policies in the company.

Food and fashion don’t often collide, but when they do, it is certainly a remarkable sight.  When Lady Gaga took to the 2010 MTV music video awards covered heat-to-toe in meat; food and fashion certainly collided….and in a big way.  The dress saw significant backlash from PETA, with the animal rights organisation sharing significant disapproval of the evening wear.  However, the look had a more nuanced meaning than first glance would suggest. Gaga has long been an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community with her song Born this Way containing lyrics such as “No matter gay straight or bi, lesbian, transgender life……. I was born to survive,” providing a mantra for the rainbow community.  The meat dress was a reference to a speech she made, The Prime Rib of America, in which she calls out the US military for their policies prohibiting gay men and lesbian citizens from serving in the army; exclaiming that the law prevents military from enjoying “the greatest cut of meat my country has to offer.”  The meaty ensemble may have caused shockwaves for simply being meat, but the meaning behind the mince and the mayhem is certainly more colourful than first expected.

Although these are only a few moments of political genius within fashion, the amount of creative and controversial looks hitting the carpet seems to keep increasing, with celebs getting bolder and braver each year.  The red carpet no longer is simply a pretty catwalk for our A-listers, but has transformed into a platform to spread important message about the world we live in. 

Nowadays, I look back to my “what the fuck” phase with a weird sort of admiration. I was bold, daring, I wore my pink anti-bullying and Weet-bix triathlon t-shirts with pride. I was proud of wearing clothing that reflected me and for what I stood. It can be easy to leave the big important messages to the ‘special few,’ the celebrities, the A-listers, the socialites.  But you need to remember the power is in your hands too. So, flaunt your Pride t-shirts, your Crusaders t-shirts, and your glittery sparkly wonderful shoes. It is time to create change..one outfit at a time.