MODERN FEMINISM
“Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings.”
― Cheris Kramarae
When a young girl plays dress up, part of the enjoyment is the fact that, for a moment, she can be anyone she would like to be. A movie star, an astronaut: the possibilities are endless. If a little girl wants to be a soldier, her dress up box is not going to tell her no just because she is a woman. Society is in the process of, slowly but surely, taking cues from little children. Here we are in a new wave of modern feminism where anything is possible, and at the forefront of this movement is the fashion world, where gender equality is manifest within modern design and culture.
We have seen some of the most admirable designs come down the runway as of late. From Chanel’s women’s suffrage themed show to the ever-feminine silhouettes of Diane Von Furstenburg, not only is the fashion world pushing gender equality, but also a beautiful notion of no boundaries for women.
Not only is there a wave of feminism within design, but the strict guideline of what a runway model “should” look like is also being taken apart slowly. More diversity has begun to surface within models, from various cultural backgrounds to body structure. The fashion world has traded exclusivity for a celebratory outcry on behalf of the modern woman and, most importantly, equality.
There are definitely many stereotypes about feminists that chalk up our anger at an unjust world as the sole cause for some of us choosing not to shave our legs, wear bras, or don makeup. While you could argue that all of these things have been a part of the patriarchy or reinforce the gender binary, it doesn’t make the decisions to wear a bra, put on makeup, or shave your legs bad ones. Feminism is giving women agency to choose — that’s the whole point! — meaning that an ideal world would give women and men the power to choose to do any of these activities, or not, without social consequences. Not all feminists are hairy-legged and braless; many women choose to do these things for themselves rather than as a means to cater to the male gaze. Assuming women do these things to get men’s approval or attention is actually sexist, not to mention heteronormative.
The underlying assumption that happens when saying that feminism and fashion don’t mix is that fashion is stereotypically feminine and all feminists should avoid this massive cultural belief. While it is true that women shouldn’t be pressured into being “fashionable” or loving fashion if they don’t, fashion itself is not just a “girl thing.” Guys can be fashion lovers, too! And assuming that fashion is only something women have an interest in further reinforces gender norms, which are cultural beliefs associated with how someone should act or behave according to their gender. Gender norms keep us all in boxes when the goal of feminism is to break free of these limitations. We can use fashion as a tool to explore what it means to be a woman and encapsulate what womanhood looks like to us as individuals. Fashion itself is about personal expression and using complex symbols and status pieces in order to do this. Thus, we can use fashion and feminism together in order to explore these narratives of identity and gender.
Feminism has only expanded the options and choices that women have, and this goal is at the heart of the movement. Thus, having the choice to wear the clothing you want and determine your own aesthetic without being shamed or ridiculed is a very feminist philosophy. New feminism truly seeks to bring equality to the masses without exception or bias, and this new movement seeks to empower, enlighten, and embolden everyone.
