'I am an immigrant': fashion stars against Trump
February 21, 2017
Performing in the short clip are supermodels Adriana Lima from Brazil and Doutzen Kroes vrom the Netherlands. "I am Adriana Lima and I am an immigrant," says the dark-haired Lima.
A total of 81 renowned fashion designers, photographers, models, artists and art directors contribute to the video. It was produced and released on Youtube by the US fashion magazine "W."
The glamorous participants criticize Donald Trump's immigration policy, the so-called #MuslimBan concerning a temporary ban of citizens from seven predominantly Islamic countries. After a court decision overruled the decree, it was dropped - although President Trump vowed to find an alternative way to push the measure through.
Fashion is political
At first sight, the video is reminiscent of a 1980s publicity campaign of United Colours of Benetton. Participants speaking in Spanish, English, Arabic and French all state that they too are immigrants. At times, the picture is shaking when the camera moves on to the next participant. And that's precisely the strong point of the video. The individuality of each single participant gives way to a message shared by all.
Last week, the fashion branch gathered for one day in New York's Milk Studios in order to produce these statements. At the end of the clip, Diane von Fürstenberg concludes by saying: "America was very good to me." The 71-year old fashion designer of Jewish heritage knows all too well what the consequences of nationalistic delusion can be. Her Sephardic mother from Greece was a Holocaust survivor.