The Impact Of Fashion On People’s Life
Beyond the fashion capitals of New York and Paris, a whole other world exists. Contrary to popular media, fashion, beauty, and style standards are not exclusive to these elite fashion cities. Places below the radar of the fashion world are taking on issues that the industry often overlooks: gender, race, status, religion, politics, etc. It is easy to get wrapped up in the more trivial side of fashion, such as Hedi Slimane changing the face of Céline (now Celine), because it has an undeniable presence in the media. The real issues plaguing the fashion world, however, are rarely talked about by the press. It is important to deepen people’s perceptions of fashion. To change this frivolous reputation, we must explore it as a form of identity. Whether you realize it or not, fashion represents who you are and how you are perceived.
In many cultures, however, this ideal becomes a political battleground and fight for identity. The Syrian refugees of Lebanon display the societal effects of fashion. Mainstream media often paints Syrian refugees as a collective group of victims, instead of real people with individual identities. Fashion has become a refuge of sorts for displaced Syrian women. In the documentary series, States of Undress, Hailey Gates spotlights how many refugees came from the Syrian city of Aleppo, which is known for its tailoring. Using their background in tailoring, many Syrian women have found themselves working behind the scenes of major Lebanese fashion houses. These designers, in turn, take credit for the skilled work of these refugees. As morally corrupt the situation is, these women do not have the political capital to fight back and start their own companies in Lebanon. It is looked down upon for a Syrian refugee to complain about cheap labor and not getting credit for their tailoring. In the eyes of Lebanese designers, they are giving them jobs to survive in the country that took them in. In addition to this, there is aggressive tension between the Lebanese workers who were replaced by cheaper labor, and the refugees occupying their jobs. This leads to violence in the streets, paralleling the geopolitical issues of the country.
Not only is fashion a political statement and livelihood for Syrian refugees, but it is also a form of self-expression. Celine Semaan’s documentary, Are We There Yet?, explores how fashion plays a role in the lives of these women. It shows how fashion is not just a frivolous material good, but how it is used as a tool to preserve self-worth and dignity. Semaan argues the power of empathy in crises by showing the relatable aspects of these Syrian refugees. She talks about how the constant coverage of war and violence “drives people away from empathy, because they are oversaturated because they’re overfed with constant images of terror. ” In a surprising turn of events, fashion is the mutual ground in which people can identify themselves with these refugees.
Fashion is more than just red carpets and seasonal collections. It has real impact on real people. It is away to stand up for yourself and connect with other people halfway across the world. Whether covered by the media or not, fashion plays an essential role in the lives of all people, no matter the background, race, religion, or gender, and will continue to be a movement for those who most need a voice.
