Why the Bandana Is the Only Accessory You Need
With Fashion Month coming to an end, it's no surprise that political and social statements dominated the runways this season. From featuring plus-size models to bringing back the pantsuit, Fall 2017 looks promising for the well-informed fashionista. If you were too distracted by all the glitz and glam, you might have overlooked the most coveted accessory of the year－the bandana－strutting its stuff down the runways.
The Business of Fashion spearheaded the movement to unify the fashion community and fashion lovers all over the world with one simple, trendy, and easily accessible accessory — the white bandana. Anyone can wear the handkerchief to show their support for a world and community that's tied together, or better known as #TiedTogether, despite cultural and physical differences. Spring's trendiest adornment — featured in Tommy Hilfiger, Thakoon, and Diane Von Furstenberg's collections — is one that symbolizes unity, equality, charity, and inclusivity. I mean, it'd be hard for you to not notice all the recent protests and cries for a more tolerant and thoughtful world... unless you've been living under a rock!
As with all things we wear, there are a number of people and cultures that leave their mark on fashion.
Inspiration, one of the most alluring things about the fashion industry, can come from anywhere and anyone! That's what makes this movement so great and why I stand for it. #TiedTogether recognizes that we are all part of the solution.
The social movement is not just limited to fashion lovers, however. More than anything, #TiedTogether is a statement of our expectations and wishes for mankind and basic human interaction. Anyone can do it, and you would be helping others out in the process. With each #TiedTogether post, The Business of Fashion donates five dollars to ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) and UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) charities.
Simply put, there would be no such thing as fashion blogs or runway collections without one's curiosity and appreciation for different cultures or the overwhelming feeling to share them with others. Even if you just like to dress according to trends, you are participating in a cultural movement. Trends can come from everywhere! From style tribes to hairstyles to long-lived ideas, culture plays a very important world in human relations and the fashion cycle. Fashion is a combination of individual style, cultural exploration, and social influence. It is more than just clothing, but rather a way of life.
With that said, fashion lovers all over the world need to stand together. We have the power to end the silence, blind consumption, and intolerance that plagues the fashion industry. Never be afraid to share your thoughts or act in a social movement. As fashion continues to evolve and expose the world to our cultural differences, it has yet to become an industry of 100% inclusivity or diversity. There are plenty of body-positive, gender-neutral, and diverse campaigns rolling out this year, but it shouldn't end there. Ask for more. Push for more. Keep fashion — and the world — on a consistent path of growth. Make a statement about the world you want to live in by picking up one of your own white bandanas!