Launched to coincide with New York Fashion Week, the CFDA has partnered with the American Civil Liberties Union to add the fashion industry’s voice to the increasingly urgent calls to protect the constitutional rights and freedoms enjoyed by all citizens of the United States.
Under the Fashion For ACLU initiative, the CFDA, through its 500-plus members, is actively supporting the critical work that is being done to fight racism, bigotry and hatred across America. “We want to be on the front line, not the sidelines, to boldly fight to protect our precious rights and freedoms, which has taken on a renewed urgency after the heart-wrenching events of Charlottesville,” said Steven Kolb, President and CEO of CFDA.
Gabriela Hearst showing her support for the Fashion For ACLU initiative.
A special blue lapel ribbon has been designed to reinforce the message, which is being distributed to over 50 participating designers and labels, including Gabriela Hearst, who wore her ribbon through the day of her Spring/Summer 2018 show. The Uruguayan-native, who has spent more than a decade in design New York, now calls the U.S. home, and is passionate about the country’s people and its politics. “I believe that now more than ever, we need an organization like ACLU to defend those under attack. The very thread of this country – our immigrants – is being targeted,” she said. “We [the fashion industry] are never afraid to speak out and help.”
The ACLU was established almost 100 years ago, and its work extends into courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in the country. The nationwide organization takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach.
Among the designers and labels who have joined Gabriela Hearst in support of the initiative are Adam Selman, Alice + Olivia, Derek Lam, Diane von Furstenberg, Everlane, Monse, Narciso Rodriguez, Opening Ceremony, Prabal Gurung, Public School and Tracy Reese. “We are grateful that the CFDA is willing to use its reach and influence to stand up and protect our civil liberties at this unprecedented time in history,” said Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU.
You can show your support for Fashion For ACLU by wearing the blue ribbon and posting pictures on your channels using the hashtags #StandWithACLU and #FashionforACLU.