Through 2017-18 we have seen a dramatic rise in the catwalk being used as a space for protest. From standing against Trump in their AW17 show to showing a fashion film with an underlying Brexit theme in place of a catwalk at her 2018 London Fashion Week Men鈥檚 show, protest has been a talking point for fashion. Political challenges shone through in many of the collections we had the chance to view at GFW18, indicating that the catwalk will continue to be a stage for creatives to express their political opinions through their art. 

Backstage at , Photography by Rory James

One Graduate Fashion Week member universities that stood out by using placard protest signs was The placards held phrases such as 鈥榳e refuse to be forgotten鈥�, 鈥榦ne love, one garment鈥�, and 鈥榙iversity not division鈥� implying that these graduates felt strongly about social issues surrounding inclusivity. 

, Photography by Becky Mukerji and Zoe Griffin

Yunrao Chen, a graduate from the , also shared her political beliefs through a placard displayed within her collection stating 鈥楯ust F...ing Recycle鈥�. On the back of one of her garments reveal the words 鈥楰eep It Clean鈥� while an array of netting and plastic is dragged along the floor a clear reference to the plastic crisis in our oceans. 

Graduate Emily Haywards, from , displays her protest across her garments as opposed to on a placard. Her statements read 鈥榣ike what you like, even if it鈥檚 crocs and socks鈥�, 鈥榥o it always means no鈥�, and 鈥榤ake a difference鈥�. Her collection is a statement against the injustice of conformity, referencing the importance of sexual consent along with statements of encouragement imploring us to be ourselves. 

These protest collections are embodiments of the social and environmental issues, we face as a  society. As we continue to face these injustices, we look forward to seeing how future fashion graduates can combat this by bringing protest to the catwalk. 

Words by Georgia Gadsby