*warning: mild references to Nazism (more specifically, anti-Nazi sentiment)

Art and activism are often synonymous, intertwined by both intention and action. From Banksy’s famous street art to Ai Wei Wei’s criticism of Chinese communism, art holds meaning, and that meaning is often political.

Some of the oldest examples of political art can be seen in ancient cultures. The ancient Egyptians raised monuments and pyramids for their political leaders, the Romans erected statues of dictators like Caesar, and the Greeks dedicated structures to their gods. The ancient Egyptian Narmer palette depicted the unification of Egypt, as well as great Egyptian conquest, while Hammurabi’s Stele portrayed both art and written politics. While ancient political art is arguably simplistic it serves as the foundation for our modern political expression.

Even after ancient civilizations had fallen, artistic depictions of politics continued, especially during times of revolution. Works such as Goya’s “The Third of May” and Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People” both depict intense reactions to revolution, either inspiring support or renouncing the cruelty of war. Picasso’s “Guernica” is one of the most well-known anti-war works, openly criticizing Nazi actions. Not the first and certainly not the last of its kind, “Guernica” is the perfect example of explicit political messaging in art.

As an art form itself, fashion has seen its fair share of activism. Trailblazer Vivienne Westwood used fashion to expand the expression of punk and advocate for feminism and anti-Nazi sentiment. Black and brown women embraced their cultural expressions in predominantly white spaces, using their stylistic expression as an (often involuntary) political statement. The Black Panthers made use of their visual identities, donning black berets and denim, both of which would become synonymous with the Black Panther Party. Suffragettes wore white to symbolize the purity and capability of women to vote, while contemporary feminists are often seen wearing bright pink “pussyhats” as a sign of their rebellion.

Fashion as a form of activism is far from unheard of. Particularly now, where fast fashion and fashion waste are such a large contributor to climate change, sustainability movements have found a large platform in the fashion world. But many ordinary people, who don’t find themselves interested in fashion, or art, and have no activist intentions exist at an interesting crossroads. They believe themselves exempt from action (after all, they aren’t hurting anyone), while still reaping the benefits of consumption. Now I’m not here to say EVERYONE should care about fashion (though we all are a part of it), but as individual consumers, we should all recognize our part in contributing to the state of our individual and collective lives.

You don’t have to wear a shirt that makes a bold statement to take part in fashion activism. You don’t have to wear anything that has words at all. In a society built upon capitalist successes, money talks. It is because of this, that where your money goes speaks volumes. So if you care about the environment, or reproductive rights, animal rights, or any other social issue, one of the easiest ways to take part in that fight is to buy from brands already part of it. While we are not individually responsible for the mistakes of our predecessors we are all collectively responsible for the solution.

If you’re interested in fashion activism or seeking recs, look into some of these brands!
Sustainability: Pact, Kotn, Yes Friends (they’re fair trade too!), Etsy, Colored Organics
Reproductive Rights: Harper Wilde, Raygun, Otherwild, Levi Strauss
LGBTQ+: Wildfang (a favorite of mine), Chuck Taylor, Nautica, Levi Strauss
Black Owned Brands: Harbison Studio, Actively Black, Yitty, Daily Paper
Plus Size Brands: Eloquii, Girlfriend Collective, Madewell, Savage x Fenty