Why Fashion Is A Powerful Force In The Time's Up Movement
Sunday night saw the 71st British Academy Film & Television Awards. The award ceremony was completely dominated by the Time's Up movement against sexual harassment and bullying. The majority of stars adhered to the Time's Up 'black out' dress code which was previously debuted at the Golden Globes.
Every year, the BAFTA's are highly anticipated, not just because they recognise the industry's talent but also because of the fashion. The red carpet is prime bait for fashion pundits everywhere.
However, this year the term 'fashion statement' took on a whole new meaning. The latest BAFTA's were about standing together in solidarity and exposing issues of harassment, bullying, abuse and discrimination in the workplace.
Three hundred actresses and other females in the entertainment industry kicked off the new year with the Time's Up initiative, founded after brave women spoke up about sexual misconduct and harassment in the work place.
To see these strong and powerful women stand in solidarity and take a stand against such an important issue is empowering. It is uplifting. It is hope and it is exactly what we need. It's refreshing to see these women who have such enormous platforms use them for the greater good. And of course let's not forget the men who wore Time's Up pins to show their support.
The Golden Globes and the BAFTAs aren't the only places that the Time's Up movement has initiated a statement made through fashion. New York Fashion Week saw many designers celebrating women. After all, it isn't just the show business industry that is affected by sexual harassment. With their platform, many designers at NYFW used their collections to celebrate women.
Take Prabal Gurung for example, who's known for being a politically fashion forward designer. His collection celebrates female solidarity. To end his show, he had his models walk the runway holding a white rose in support of the Time's Up movement which was also seen previously at the Grammys.
Speaking to the New York Times regarding his collection, Garung said:
What I really found fascinating — especially in today’s time when we’re talking about solidarity and women coming together — is that in parts of the world, it’s been an existing part of life that we don’t even think about.
During the BAFTAs, Host Joanna Lumley talked about the 100th anniversary of the suffrage movement in her opening speech, linking it to Time's Up.
A century ago, the suffragettes laid the groundwork for the kind of dogged resistance and powerful protest that is carried forward today with the Time's Up movement, and with it, the determination to eradicate the inequality and abuse of women the world over."
When accepting his award for Best Screenplay, Martin McDonagh paid tribute to the Time's Up movement.
What we're most proud of this film, especially in this Time's Up year, it that it's a film about a woman who refuses to take any shit anymore, played by a woman who has always refused to take any shit. Thank you, Frances, for a performance that was as unapologetic as it was fearsome.
This is just an example of the many tributes that were made to the movement throughout the night. This begs the question - if these women did not make a stand together and adhere to the 'black out' dress code, would people be so quick to talk about movement? Would as many stars have made a comment whilst doing their speeches throughout the night? The strongest and most powerful tribute to the movement is the 'black out' dress code in my opinion. What do you think?
For more information about the Time's Up movement or to see the original letter of solidarity drafted and signed by 300 powerful women, find it here.