Claire Manor
The Reality of Fashion
As a woman, it’s challenging to advocate for feminist beliefs in misogynistic work environments. You may feel dismissed in your industry. I worked under a male stylist during my first experience behind the scenes of a runway show. At the model casting, I watched as women with 23-inch waists were hired but women with 25-inch waists were rejected for being “too big” for the clothing. I knew my fellow female interns shared similar desires of body diversity in fashion, yet none felt comfortable speaking up. This event sparked my desire to create an inclusive fashion collection that begins to shift power back to women after being subjected to sexist language and behavior. Using virtual reality, my collection, “The Reality of Fashion,” creatively responds to misogynistic quotes from powerful men. Virtual reality contributes a fresh voice for women’s equality and is an innovative medium amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, fashion has lacked both racial and body diversity as women are subjected to clothing standards created by men. In professional atmospheres, women who don’t wear subdued colors and modest clothing are often not taken seriously. Rather than as a means of oppression, my project aims to show how clothing can be empowering.“The Reality of Fashion” official video. This video is mocked up with the intention of being created for viewing in Virtual Reality. A fish-eye lens was used to create the illusion of a Virtual Reality format. The show is created for a Virtual Reality viewing platform to maintain social distancing and add an adaptable dimension to fashion and clothing. Each model is wearing an item that responds to a specific misogynistic quote said by different powerful men. My goal for this video is to have an inclusive collection that begins to shift power back to women after being subjected to sexist language. “The Reality of Fashion” will offer viewers the chance to reflect and encourage further research.
“The Reality of Fashion” Tik Tok Video. This video was created with the intention of posting on social media, specifically Tik Tok. It is a one-minute-long video to meet the time restrictions of social media platforms.
Mikaela posing in an outfit created for a woman in the real estate industry. The collar of her jacket reads “I am a person, not a purse.” This statement is a response to the quote “I don’t think women understand how important it is for a man to have a beautiful woman on his arm” from First General Baptist Church Pastor Stewart-Allen Clark during a sermon in 2021.
Mora posing in an outfit created for a woman news anchor. The back waistband of her trousers reads “Since when do men know what makes women happy?” This is a response to a quote by Gavin McInnes from Vice Media, “You would be much happier at home with a husband and children,” that was said to a female anchor on Fox News in 2015.
Aabi posing in an outfit created for a woman in the entertainment industry. The back of her turtleneck shrug reads “If I can put up with misogyny you can put up with my sex appeal.” This is in response to an anonymous quote on “Shit People Say to Female Directors” from 2015 that said “I can’t work with someone I want to fuck. It messes with my head.”
Alyssa posing in an outfit created for a woman in the tech industry. Her purse reads “Apparently having a penis requires higher compensation.” This is a response to the quote “Women: Like Men, Only Cheaper,” said by the co-founder of LookSmart, Evan Thornley, in a presentation at an Australian tech conference in 2014.