Youth Rebellion in Fashion:
Raury Takes on D&G
Image by Jacopo Raule/Getty Images
Using our sense of style & artistic faculty, we can stand up for what’s right & shoot down what’s wrong. But what happens when fashion designers choose not to? What happens when designers use their platforms to mock protesters? Well, we found out when Dolce & Gabbana took to their sketchbooks to design t-shirts with a ‘BOYCOTT’ hashtag print mocking the protests criticizing their choice to dress Melania Trump, first lady to 45th president Donald Trump. Many were outraged that the brand wouldn’t take a stand against what this couple stands for, which is capitalism, racism, & other violent acts committed against marginalized people. It was considered to be an endorsement of the Trump family, which in turn shows support of social regression & oppression.
But the youth are choosing not to just stand by & watch this blatant disrespect. Social activist & eclectic musician Raury decided to show the brand what boycotting really looks like. Chosen by D&G as an “influencer” model, Raury was recently invited to walk in the spring/summer 2018 show. Strutting down the catwalk as instructed, Raury stopped at the end, threw up a Black power fist & took off his yellow Dolce & Gabbana jacket to reveal ‘Give Me Freedom’ & other related phrases scrawled across his torso. Of course, he was removed from the show & hassled by italian security. He later explained to GQ magazine that he felt the brand was making a mockery of protesting & leaders in history that have helped change history. “I don’t support those who are trying to undermine the voice of the people.” he said in the interview.
Some designers, like Jeremy Scott of Moschino, make it their duty to make political statements & spread awareness of what’s happening in the world; others, like Marc Jacobs, add to the problem. Which poses the question, should fashion brands & designers be held accountable for who they decide to work with & be expected to participate in political discussion? Is Dolce & Gabbana truly supporting the Trump family by outfitting the first lady? The old saying goes, “If you don’t stand up for something, you’ll fall for anything.” Fashion, after all, is the singular way in which we are all connected. Whether or not you think you have style is not of concern, but we all wear & purchase clothing. The clothing we wear comes with a story. Outfitting a person such as Melania Trump in garments made by people she shows distaste & disrespect for is telling, & one is inadvertently standing on the side of tyranny by associating with such a rightfully controversial figure.