by Kate Beisner

This presentation outlines how fashion has served as a form of protest, and thus a catalyst of change, throughout history. Starting in the Victorian Era, women’s dress was reformed to make wear less restrictive, healthier, and more functional; acting as a precursor for changes in societal expectations of women. During the Roaring 20s and Interwar Period, fashion changed drastically as a result of an economic boom, the World Wars, and the Women’s Suffrage Movement. During the war, large assemblies of women served in the workplace because of labor demands, creating a precedent for equality, and fashion reflected the growing need for functionality. Fashion has progressed to modern standards encouraged by the sexual revolution, increased LGTBQ+ visibility, and the women’s rights movement. The fashion industry, however, continues to perpetuate binary white perspectives, that are extremely harmful, as accurate representation is a key component of changing social viewpoints. Therefore, the task faced today is the need for accurate and respectful fashion representation, without appropriation, that is inclusive of all races, gender expressions, and body types.