On Friday, President Trump signed an executive order banning citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for at least the next three months. The order also halted America’s refugee program for the next 120 days or longer. The stories that emerged from the nation’s major international airports were devastating. In a country founded by immigrants, the public backlash was swift. Many took to the streets to protest. Others donated to the ACLU — which received $24 million in donations this weekend alone. And, as is their responsibility in these times, celebrities (within and without the fashion world, but mostly without) spoke out against the ban.
As Rachel Lubitz of Mic points out, the liberal-leaning, immigrant-filled fashion world hasn’t been as vocal on this issue as we might have expected, given their overwhelming endorsement of the January 21 Women’s March. Perhaps Marc Jacobs, Sophie Theallet and other politically plugged-in designers feel their opinion on the matter (literally) goes without saying. Perhaps everyone is busy preparing for Fashion Week. Perhaps, given that the media (theFashionSpot included) gave the dressing Melania debate such traction, they’re remaining mum so as not to detract from the larger story. Still, major designers’ apparent lack of involvement is pretty puzzling.
That said, it’s only day three of the ban and already a handful of It models, designers and tastemakers have taken to social media to condemn it, most notably Naeem Khan, Indian immigrant and eveningwear extraordinaire. “I am the immigrant that brings beauty to make you shine,” Khan captioned an Instagram post this Sunday. “I am the immigrant that is woven into the fabric of America. I am the immigrant that loves this country as all your ancestors who were immigrants.”
A photo posted by Naeem Khan (@naeemkhannyc) on
Diane Von Furstenberg, who immigrated to the U.S. from Belgium, let an image of the Statue of Liberty (mostly) speak for itself. “Lady Liberty… we love you!” Liberty. As in “the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views.”
A photo posted by Diane von Furstenberg’s diary (@therealdvf) on
Christian Siriano, well-known diversity advocate, borrowed the words of one of the great fashion icons of our time.
— Christian Siriano (@CSiriano) January 29, 2017
Ashish Gupta of Ashish UK also sought to quell our anxieties and voice his opinion through meme.
This explains everything thanks @onapinkplanet
A photo posted by ASHISH (@ashish_uk) on
Tired though our forums may be of seeing them front every campaign under the sun, we were happy to spot the Hadid sisters (born of a Palestinian-American father) at their local #nobannowall immigration rally.
Public School’s Dao-Yi Chow was elsewhere in the crowd.
A post shared by Dao-Yi Chow (@alldaydaoyi) on
Fellow model Lindsey Wixon, known for her whimsical personal style and strident political beliefs, sought to educate her followers.
As did Kim Kardashian. (Though Donald Trump’s “great friend,” Yeezy designer Kanye West, has yet to speak up.)
Statistics pic.twitter.com/aSpyFuabct
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) January 29, 2017
Meanwhile, singer-slash-fashion-icon-slash-designer Rihanna did not mince words. At all.
Disgusted! The news is devastating! America is being ruined right before our eyes! What an immoral pig you have to be to implement such BS!!
— Rihanna (@rihanna) January 29, 2017
[ via Mic ]
