Opinion: Why Does The Fashion Industry Always Have A Finger On Its Lips When It Comes To War?

Is it ignorance? Or Is it the belief that war doesn’t affect fashion? The fashion industry is fastest fingers first when it comes to rating the top looks from the runway, bringing them to retail stores, and sourcing vintage couture pieces in minutes. But when the topic of war arises, it’s merely a sharing of Instagram stories.

In reality, fashion is inherently political. Every choice, from what is designed to who wears it, reflects power, identity, and ideology. Clothes signal class, gender, race, resistance, and conformity. Uniforms enforce authority, dress codes police behaviour, and runway trends often echo broader cultural movements. From colonial textiles to feminist slogans on t-shirts, fashion has always been a mirror to societal structures.

Then why is this silence? Is the silence of fashion in times of crisis is a political stance too? A choice to disengage or protect privilege?

While wars rage across continents — from Gaza to Ukraine — the fashion industry has remained largely silent, speaking only when conflict disrupts its own circles. India also just witnessed escalation at the borders. There were fears of a war breaking out, until a ceasefire was announced. The fashion world, however, continued its glossy carousel. It was business as usual — campaigns drop, influencers posting OOTDs. For an industry that prides itself on being “relevant” and “revolutionary”, its silence during geopolitical crises is glaring.

An Instagram Story Won’t Save Lives

At best, we see a vague black-and-white Instagram story, a generic "Praying for peace" post, or a re-shared quote on unity. But let’s be honest: an Instagram story won’t stop a bullet or comfort the displaced.

Fashion influencers — some with millions of followers — often lack the geopolitical literacy to speak with depth. Their performative activism or surface-level knowledge can be worse than silence. Misinformation or casual apathy in times of war is dangerous; it distorts public understanding and trivialises the trauma of those affected.

Designers Remain Silent, Until War Touches Their Market

It’s not just the influencers. Designers, many of whom have built brands rooted in cultural narratives, heritage, and resistance, often remain conspicuously quiet. There’s a pattern: when the war is “somewhere else”, fashion rarely flinches. But when global supply chains are hit, luxury consumption slows, or war enters fashion capitals like Paris or Milan, suddenly, the silence breaks.

This selective outrage reveals a deeper truth: life in fashion continues undisturbed until war begins to affect business.

And Why Is This Silence?

In today’s climate of cancel culture, brands often tread cautiously, fearing backlash for saying the wrong thing. This fear, however, should not become an excuse for silence. While fashion has shown it can engage thoughtfully with complex issues like sustainability, feminism, and diversity, it cannot claim that war is too complicated or polarising to address. Avoiding the topic altogether only reinforces a selective moral compass.

Part of this silence also stems from the cultural insulation many in the fashion industry experience. Designers, executives, and creatives often exist within urban, elite echo chambers — spaces largely detached from political realities on the ground. As a result, war is reduced to a distant headline, acknowledged only when it directly disrupts their curated worlds. 

So, What Can Fashion Actually Do?

Silence is no longer neutral. It’s complicity. But words should not be empty. The industry can meaningfully contribute too by:

  • Donating proceeds: Allocate a percentage of profits during conflict periods to verified humanitarian efforts.
  • Elevating voices: Use platforms to amplify ground reports, verified information, and cultural narratives from affected regions. Designers from Palestine, Ukraine, Afghanistan, or Jammu & Kashmir, deserve spotlight and support.
  • Parraking conscious campaigns: Halt promotional blitzes during times of national mourning or escalation. It shows empathy, not weakness.
  • Educating audiences: Partner with experts to create responsible, awareness-driven content. Fashion has the aesthetic pull — why not use it for public good?

Accept it ot not, fashion is political. From punk resistance to feminist slogans on Dior T-shirts, fashion has always reflected sociopolitical realities. War is not a disruption to fashion — it is a reality that demands its attention. If the industry can react to red carpets and trends within 24 hours, it can respond to human suffering faster and better.

In times of war, silence is not stylish — it’s a stain.

[Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs, and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, and views of ABP News Network Pvt Ltd.]

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