A pop culture trend that has been booming recently in our society is “feminism.” The recent political election instigated this concept to become a “trend” so to speak, as we see the masses in protests wearing slogans and phrases standing up for their rights. Our efforts to protect our rights as women and protect our equality is reflected in the fashion industry today. As a feminist I have mixed feelings labelling this as a “trend” just because then maybe we start to divert away from the real meaning and purpose of the word and the movement and it just becomes something thats “fashionable” and “cool.” However, it is the current issue and as a result the fashion industry will respond to what society is facing.

At this years New York Fashion Week, Dior designer Maria Grazia Chiuri debuted a shirt that had “We Should All Be Feminists” which has been seen worn on pop culture icon Rihanna and a known feminist spokesperson at the Women’s March and actress Natalie Portman. Another high-end designer who promoted feminism through his collection was Prabal Gurung who debuted a collection of with messages that said “The Future Is Female” and “Neverthless She Persisted.”

This years political election prompted many celebrities to speak up about their political stances, whether it was through their performances, presence in protests, campaigning with the political candidates or through their social media. Famous examples that come to mind would be Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Jay Z, Katy Perry, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, honestly so many celebrities from musicians to actors to models. Vogue also published an article stating their political opinion, which is extremely rare for a magazine especially one with such prestige. In my opinion, I think these celebrities speaking out had an indirect influence over the trend of “feminism,” I think they prompted their fans and raised awareness and encouraged others to partake in protests and stand up for everyones rights that were in jeopardy which not only meant women rights, but LGBTQ, immigrants and human rights in general.

Through the protests we see “pussy hats” and protest slogans and protest wear and I think that is really what had a direct influence on high-end brands to debut these T-Shirts with feminist sayings. I would say the Trickle-Across Theory would be most applicable to this trend. It wasn’t a matter of the elite introducing this fashion trend, it was due to the social situation and how the masses were reacting. It is also not a Trickle Up Theory just because the elite were simultaneously partaking in the public reaction and protests. We see the protests and the “normal” people with all these feminist slogans and protest signs, we see celebrities speaking up and wearing these feminist slogans and then we see them debuted in Fashion Week by high-end brands, and now there are going to be readily available T-Shirts at our fast fashion stores. I made a graph that resembles a “classic” fashion trend because I believe that “feminism” is a concept that has been going strong for years now and it has recently picked up even more due to current events, but it cannot be a concept that just fades away like a fad because it will always be a pressing issue.