feminist’. (Karl’s words, not mine.) His satirical placards such as ‘Men should get pregnant too!’ totally missed the point. The fashion industry can be a paradox for feminism, it is an oxymoron itself used to both empower women and oppress them simultaneously. The fight for not only gender equality, but racial and homosexual rights do, however, have a raw and relatable voice on Meadham Kirchhoff’s runways. As a brand, they celebrate upcoming artists, and are active fangirls of Tavi and Ione’s publications. The angst of a worldwide group is somehow honed through Meadham Kirchoff’s impeccable collections and performances each and every London Fashion Week. Their popularity and huge admiration among thousands seems to derive from the relatability and authenticity of the voice they are projecting.
The Riot Grrrl movement, that still exists twenty years on, is something that is improving and changing the way people perceive inequality, and re-claiming what feminism means on an individual level. All of this is done through artwork, writing, and the sense of angst and excitement that this movement provides. Entering this large group of creatives is a complete, honest and vastly inspiring journey with a raw sense of unity. It’s a pure celebration of everyone in whatever they do, a celebration of the individual. Words: Lucy Samantha Martin Artwork: Alannah Byrne – www.alannahbyrne.com
GI RLS/ CLUB
The defiance against conventional beauty, sexual objectification and inequality that Meadham Kirchhoff delivered so eloquently in their SS15 collection, derived from, and lives on in, the mass of feminist ‘zines and collective art groups. The do-it-yourself philosophy of this scene also saw the increase in the use of collages. What was once seen as an almost juvenile artistic form is beginning to, like ‘zines, receive credible recognition. Artists such as Beth Hoeckle (well known for her work at Rookie Mag) collaborating with fashion designer Alice McCall on her new collection, and the work of Wangechi Mutu and Pree Bright gaining appreciation on online platforms such as Dazed and Confused is evidence of this. This popularity has given access to people who aren’t photographers or illustrators – you don’t need to be a professional to get involved. Like Ione Gamble said, collages ‘nearly always look cute!’
2014’s popular culture has taken a strange stance on feminism; even Emma Watson’s HeForShe campaign speech at the United Nations addressed men’s inequality needing to be dealt with prior to women’s. That is, apparently, the only way corporations, mass media and popular culture will grant us equal rights. Even though feminism has begun to transgress from a taboo subject to one more openly talked about, the ideology that is being progressed through popular culture is not one that is necessarily going to advance the strive for equality. So whilst forever skewed views of what equality means for gender, race and sexuality circulates the mass media, there is a creative community and growing platform for those dissatisfied with the status quo to immerse themselves in.
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