On the morning of September 6, before New York City turned into a playground of back-to-back shows, presentations, parties, and more parties for New York Fashion Week, the fashion industry united in Midtown Manhattan for a democratic cause. Organized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America with Vogue, the Fashion For Our Future march saw more than 1,000 participants – from designers and editors, to models and FLOTUS herself – call for the importance of voting in the upcoming presidential election.
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The march began at Herald Square, where attendees said their hellos to one another and picked up exclusive tees and dresses designed by Old Navy and Zac Posen. The clothes read “Fashion For Our Future” on the front and “Vote” on the back in bold lettering, and coordinating picket signs with the same phrase were readily available for the walk. Meanwhile, public awareness campaign I am a voter offered voter registration and polling resources to those looking to get further involved.
We have such a great history of always coming together for important causes, and nothing is more important than getting people out to vote in November,” Vogue Editor-in-Chief and Condé Nast Chief Content Officer Anna Wintour, tells Teen Vogue at the March.
CFDA has long championed civic responsibility, through past partnerships with the ACLU, FWD.US, and Planned Parenthood. And as November 5 quickly approaches, the urge for participation in the 2024 presidential election only increases, whether it be through direct involvement, like making sure to register to vote, or more symbolic gestures, such as Friday’s march. “Fashion is so steeped in culture, and it’s important to show that being a voter, having your voice heard, and getting involved in politics are also parts of culture. They define it,” designer Bach Mai tells us.
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With patriotic blow horns and miniature American flags in hand, CFDA members led the march along Broadway from Herald Square to Bryant Park, chanting “V-O-T-E, vote” and holding a larger-than-life banner that read “Fashion For Our Future.” Once reassembled at the park, activist Aurora James, designer Thom Browne, and First Lady Jill Biden delivered speeches to conclude the morning’s program.
“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,” said Browne, before handing the mic to Biden.
Biden thanked the CFDA for banding together that morning and stressed what’s on the line in the upcoming election. “Your day may not start or stop with politics, but elections are [about] the freedom for our children to learn without fear, without hate, without gun violence [and] the freedom to make your own choices,” she said. “We can vote our way toward a future where freedom really does ring.”
After much applause, the audience of retailers, fashion students, journalists, and designers parted ways from the park to take on a day of NYFW programming, though the reminder of civic duty endured. “Fashion has the power to really get people excited,” says designer Jackson Wiederhoeft, who sees the march as “a great way to bring this excitement from fashion week into voting.”
“It’s about grounding ourselves before everything takes off and understanding that we’re about to embark on a big fashion month, but as soon as it’s over, it’s time to vote,” model Amelia Gray explains. “I’m honored to be a part of this.”
Register to vote or update your registration here.
