'Protest fashion': Melania Trump's controversial jacket inspires a new trend
A few days ago, Melania Trump was making a humanitarian visit to an immigrant detention center in Texas with a green Zara jacket that on its back carried a non-humanitarian and very inappropriate message: “I Really Don't Care, Do U? " -I don't really care, do you? - Now, Trump detractors respond to the first lady's hidden message by inspiring the #Icare trend. The "fashion-protest" is a powerful loudspeaker to fight against injustices
VALENCIA. When a few days ago, the first lady of the United States, Melania Trump, visited a shelter for immigrant children in Texas wearing a green jacket whose back could be read "I Really Don’t Care, Do U?" (I don't really care, do you?) Blew up the controversy. Her visit for alleged humanitarian purposes acquired a totally opposite connotation, turning her appearance into a mocking and insensitive gesture towards those held in that immigration center. All because of those words scrawled in white on Zara's military green jacket.
The world watched with surprise and amazement Melania Trump's non-humanitarian styling and criticism did not take long to appear. Meanwhile, Stephanie Grisham, Mrs. Trump's communications director, was quick to excuse her in a statement: "It's just a jacket, it doesn't have any hidden messages."
And she wasn't telling any lies. You are right, the message was not hidden, it could be clearly read on the back of the first lady without room for error. And yes, it is just a jacket but we all know that clothes are never just clothes, especially when you join politics and are worn by someone with the media repercussion of Melania Trump. Nothing a first lady wears is just fashion. Melania knows this well and it is not the first time that her styling is shocking because it is inappropriate.
Another example of Mrs. Trump's inappropriate style was found in August 2017 when, in the midst of the severe flooding crisis in Texas, she appeared on the runway in towering Manolo Blahnik heels. She was also out of place when in a humble gardening endeavor she wore a checkered Balmain shirt worth over $ 1,000.
This time the bet was more affordable since Zara's jacket costs 39 euros, perhaps the cheapest garment in Melania's closet. Do not try to look for it, it is from last season and now it is exhausted.
The political debate around the happy jacket - quite ugly, by the way - did not stop on social networks and many tried to find out who was the true objective of that not hidden message. Melania Trump took off her jacket when landing in Texas to visit the immigrant center, so many believe that, despite the thorny case, the little phrase was not directed at immigrants. The most benevolent think that this defiant "I don't care" was intended for those who criticize the government's policy to make it clear that she is not guilty of the follies of her husband, Donald Trump. And following that line, Melania's supporters prefer to believe that the message is directed at Trump himself, he does not care what he thinks because she does not agree. If so, Melania has not achieved her goal because her own husband has not been taken for granted at all. The hint to the first lady has earned her a barrage of criticism.
#Icare the trend that arises in response to Melania Trump's message
Although Stephanie Grisham, Melania Trump's communication director, explained that the choice of the jacket did not reveal any hidden messages, the rest of the world criticized her in the media and social networks.
A few hours after this controversial visit, Jenna Ortega, 15, an actress born in Mexico, appeared on the red carpet at the Radio Disney Music Awards held in Hollywood, wearing a jacket whose back could read “I do care and you should too ”(I care and you should care too).
Actress Busy Philipps, from the Dawson Grows series, did the same on Instagram, where she posed with a T-shirt that read "I care, do you?" Another example, author Elise Hooper made a jacket with a message answering Melania's. Also Jill Vedder, the wife of musician Eddie Vedder, leader of the group Pearl Jam, appeared on Friday night at a concert in Milan with a jacket with a similar message.
Even Portland firm Wildfang launched a collection in response to Melania Trump's jacket consisting of a jacket, sweatshirt and a T-shirt.
Melania Trump's controversial jacket has sparked a movement on social media that also uses fashion as a banner, in this case, to protest against the Trump administration's immigration measures. With the hashtag #Icare we can find this new trend on Instagram. Melania's inopportune gesture has generated a new fashion trend, we will only need a garment and paint to show which side we are on. Personalizing clothing has never had such importance or impact.
'Protest fashion': fashion with a social message
Fashion with a message is nothing new. For decades clothing, especially t-shirts, has served as a loudspeaker to launch a social message and support for different causes. Political and environmental protests, defending freedoms, defining ourselves as members of a collective ... everything has a place in a piece of cloth that screams at the world without having to open our mouths.
The 'protest fashion' uses fashion as a means of expressing different social messages. Lately the catwalks have been filled with examples of this trend, either clearly and directly or in a more subtle way.
The feminist Dior T-shirt was one of the great protagonists during Haute Couture in Paris. Under the motto "we should all be feminist", it became the star garment for both models and celebrities on and off the catwalk. Chiara Ferragni, Rihanna, Natalie Portman or Jennifer Lawrence already wear their shirts with pride.
Also the designer Prabal Gurung expresses himself through fashion with messages that say "We will not be silenced", "love is resistance" or "I am an immigrant" are some examples. Public School sells sweatshirts and hats with the slogan "make America New York", referring to the slogan of President Donald Trump during the campaign 'make America great again' to show himself against the decisions of the US president These are just Some examples.
Without phrases but easy to read between the lines are Gucci's proposals that imagine a world that bets on the diversity of race, culture and religion. Prada declares itself - we already knew it - emphatically feminist with her latest collection. And Christopher Bailey said goodbye to Burberry with the legendary Burberry check print with the touch of color of the gay claim flag. Fashion is not just fashion and it never remains out of touch with reality.
Defending ideals and being an activist is fine but it is not enough to look like it wearing 'protest fashion', you also have to be.
