Most people remember where they were when Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, including the fashion world. Designer Prabal Gurung remembers spending time with his family. Willie Norris of Tomboys between two stops on the New York subway. Screenwriter, model and designer Passion Brad working on set. But even those who don’t remember where they are can clearly remember how they felt. “I was shocked,” Diane von Furstenberg said. Gurung agrees: “The progress we worked so hard to achieve was lost in the blink of an eye.”
Two years later, those first memories and feelings of despair inspired her to collaborate with industry peers and work with Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s We Decide campaign to encourage people to get out and vote.
As the political arm of the organization, Planned Parenthood Action Fund works to develop policies that ensure all people have access to the sexual and reproductive care and education they need to live fully, healthy lives. Indeed, not all Americans are like this. According to President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson, more than 29 million women in 22 states — more than half of whom are Black of childbearing age and many are transgender and non-binary — are denied access in their home states to abortion care. “Restrictions on care hurt everyone,” she said. “But they disproportionately impact women, low-income people, LGBTQ+ people, and Black, Latinx, and other communities of color — communities where systemic racism and discrimination already make it difficult to access basic health care.”
The team approached several designers to participate in the program and develop T-shirt designs to support the cause. The line-up includes Kenneth Cole, Kim Shui, Carly Cushnie, Faye Noel and Monse, as well as Oscar de la Renta’s creative director Fernando Garcia. “We are so grateful to these leading designers who bring their passion and immense talent to this cause,” said Karen Spruch, director of the nonprofit’s national arts and entertainment special series created for Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
Despite their vastly different design approaches and aesthetics, they believe fashion is always political. “It’s how we express our identity, our beliefs and our resistance,” Noel tells Eskom. “In a world where rights are being violated, fashion has become a way to amplify voices that aren’t always heard in the political sphere.”
Gurung believes the two are intertwined. “Fashion can be glamorous, playful, and fun, but it’s also a visual communicator that sends a message about who you are and what you want.” But as the designer points out, without protecting our basic rights, we can’t find happiness.
Each designer, with their own identity in mind, reiterates the slogan “We Decide” when designing their own T-shirts. Von Furstenberg wrote “Women Decide” in her instantly recognizable graffiti font, while Norris’ design features “Queer and Trans People Decide” written in her signature font, holding it close to her chest.
Brad is an Aboriginal, queer and female performer who uses a twisting technique called parfleche to amplify Aboriginal voices. “It’s a traditional art among tribes from the plateau and northern and southern plains,” she explains, calling it the art of creating carriers to carry objects. “Having said that, I wonder, aren’t we all vessels that carry precious things from the womb to the heart? Aren’t we supposed to be decorated with stories and meaning?”
“Each shirt is an amazing moving billboard, giving individuals the opportunity to proudly express their identity and beliefs and encourage others to vote in this important election,” Spruchi said.
The designers also chose an inspiration to wear on their respective T-shirts. The list includes everyone from singer Saweetie to actors Ariana DeBose, Bowen Yang, Lili Reinhart and Quanah Chasinghorse. “She is a very strong figure in our community and I admire her strength and the love she gives to so many people. I am excited for the opportunity to work with her,” model and actor Brad said about working with Chasinghorse. “I am very proud and it means a lot to me that they give me a platform for my art.”
Norris said fashion can have a powerful influence, but it shouldn’t just be used as a symbol. “We need to make real, actionable changes to the way we do business to have a real impact,” she explains.
The specially designed T-shirts will be available on Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s marketplace on Sept. 24. What else can you do besides vote? “Talk to your friends, family and people in your community about the urgency of the upcoming election,” said Planned Parenthood’s Johnson. “Share your story! Attend events to get educated on the issues. Demand your elected officials fight for the future you want to see.” “Fashion is a powerful force,” said Spucci. “Now is the time to use it to promote reproductive freedom.”
Check out the collection below.
