The fashion industry wants to get out the vote.
On Friday, more than 1,000 influential figures from the U.S. fashion industry participated in the “Fashion For Our Future” march in New York City to advocate for democracy and encourage voter registration ahead of November’s general election.
First Lady Jill Biden was the surprise keynote speaker at the march, which kicked off the start of New York Fashion Week. The event was organized by Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The non-profit organization “I am a Voter” was also on site to register participants for November’s election.
"I know you care about the freedom to make your own choices," Biden told the crowd in Bryant Park. "Be who you are. Love who you love. The freedom—your freedom of creative expression — these freedoms are at risk because of court decisions, book bans, shrugs of apathy when people forget the power of the vote."
Biden continued: “...[So] vote. Vote early. Then help others do the same. Post on social media. Call your friends across the country and remind everyone that we can vote our way to a future where freedom really does ring.”
Participants in the march also included designers Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Cynthia Rowley, Thom Browne, Prabal Gurung, and Aurora James — in addition to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and many models, retailers, factory workers and influencers.
The goal of the march was to show the fashion industry’s unity in supporting democracy and peace—both in America and globally — and the to demonstrate the industry’s unwavering commitment to addressing societal issues.
Participants wore "Fashion For Our Future" T-shirts emblazoned with the words "VOTE" on the back, designed by Zac Posen and his team at Old Navy. They started the march at Herald Square and ended at Bryant Park, and carried flags and banners, while chanting "V-O-T-E Vote!"
Browne, who is also chairman of the CFDA told the crowd: “As we stand united, 1,000 plus strong we are reminded that fashion is not just what we wear. It’s a powerful voice and platform for what we stand for. We are here as the American fashion industry to demonstrate to the world that unity, learning from one another and supporting democracy and peace both in America and globally are vital. And that means we all must vote.”
“The fashion industry is coming together in an amazing fashion to encourage everyone to vote in November,” Wintour told Know Your Value. “It’s a very important election, and the fashion community has such a great history of coming together as a community and supporting important causes like this one.”
James, who was born to a Ghanaian father and Canadian mother in Ontario, noted she started her lifestyle and accessories brand Brother Vellies at a flea market in New York City with just $3,500 dollars. “I had only been in this country for a few years. And the idea that now I have gotten to have essentially the American dream and make it in this city. And I’ve heard ‘if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.’ And when I look around…and I see all of these people…I know so many of their stories and I know they came from all over this country because they were just chasing a dream. And I want to make sure that all of our voices can be heard this November.”