As lovers of fashion and promoters of action, we wanted to see how the fashion community is preparing for the 2020 presidential election. In anticipation of November 3rd, we chatted with brands that are using their sartorial savvy for so much more than creating beautiful designs — encouraging communities to get out and vote.
Read on to see how fashion’s finest are promoting change.
SUSAN ALEXANDRA, FOUNDER & DESIGNER | SUSAN ALEXANDRA
HOW ARE YOU EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO VOTE?
I decided to use my platform to support the importance of voting in this year’s election by designing a Vote Bag. A portion of the proceeds are being donated to the ACLU, and I’ve also partnered with Head Count, an organization that practices participation in democracy, to promote registering and pledging to vote. If I’m able to use my brand to encourage others to vote, then hopefully that makes a difference!
WHY IS VOTING IMPORTANT?
It’s an opportunity for change. Voting gives you the chance to use your voice and express your opinions and interests. It’s also about education. Voter suppression is real, so while it’s important to vote for yourself, your vote may also benefit others.
TELL US ABOUT THE FIRST TIME YOU VOTED.
The first time I voted was for Obama. It was thrilling. I was living in Chicago at the time and the entire city was electrified and bursting with joy. It was such a powerful feeling like my voice and my beliefs mattered.
KATHRYN FORTUNATO, DIRECTOR OF SALES & OPERATIONS | LIZZIE FORTUNATO
HOW ARE YOU USING YOUR BRAND TO PROMOTE VOTING?
As a brand, we know that we are small but mighty. Our voice reaches many followers, and we want to use that reach to make a positive impact. We have been using our Instagram feed and IG stories to encourage voting, to provide voting resources and to share important dates, deadlines and links to sign up to vote. We also added a link to register to vote and to request a ballot to our home page at LizzieFortunato.com.
WHY IS VOTING IMPORTANT?
Many people do not live in places where their voice and vote can make a difference. We are so lucky to live in a democracy, and we believe strongly in exercising your right to vote. We are voting for the future of our babies!
TELL US ABOUT THE FIRST TIME YOU VOTED.
While I don’t remember the first time I voted, I can say that voting in NYC during the primaries this spring made me feel especially proud. I know we are “New York strong” when you see people showing up in masks and all their Covid protection to vote. This election season has created new challenges during Covid, and I am proud to see people prioritizing voting (either via absentee or in person) despite the obstacles.
TANYA TAYLOR, CEO & CREATIVE DIRECTOR | TAYNYA TAYLOR
HOW IS TANYA TAYLOR EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO VOTE?
The fashion industry holds a lot of power, and that power and influence should be used to encourage positive change. It’s important for me to use my platform to speak up for what I believe in. I am a founding member of Fashion Our Future 2020, a multi-brand campaign that aims to galvanize voter registration through fashion. We encourage our community to check their registration, register to vote and get involved.
WHY IS VOTING IMPORTANT?
Being Canadian, I personally can’t vote in this election, but my business is a New York City business. Our employees are American and leadership affects our livelihood. This is an important election, and I feel a responsibility to my team and my community to use the platform that I have to advocate for what I believe in. It’s important to be a cheerleader, even if you can’t play in the game.
SAJEL SHAH, PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER | LEVI’S
HOW IS LEVI’S EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO VOTE? We’re all about using our voice here at Levi’s, and there’s no better way to make yourself heard than casting your vote for the candidates and causes you care about. We’ve teamed up with Rock the Vote to help get as many people as possible registered and ready to vote this fall, and we partnered with Hailey Bieber and Oge Egbuonu, who enlisted their own community of activists, scholars and friends to voice their votes to create a powerful PSA calling on all eligible voters to know their voting status, know their voting rights, register to vote and take action.
TELL US ABOUT THE FIRST TIME YOU VOTED.2008 was my first presidential election. My mom had just passed her US citizenship requirements earlier that year and we went to the polls together. Leading up to it, I’d helped her learn about US democracy, systems of government and the Constitution. She cast her ballot, and as I looked over at her, proudly leaving the voting booth, I finally learned what becoming a citizen meant to her. It meant having a voice and being heard in the community she spent 36 years working in. The importance of a single vote, a single voice, has not been lost on me since that moment. The right to vote represents the true meaning of equality for me and those I love.
CLARE VIVIER, FOUNDER & DESIGNER | CLARE V.
HOW ARE YOU USING YOUR BRAND TO PROMOTE VOTING? We’ve known for a while that this election was going to feel different. We decided about a year ago that we wanted our brand to get involved, and we spent time figuring out what would be most effective while feeling most authentic to Clare V. and our customer. We launched Clare V.otes earlier this year as a resource. Not only do we give voter registration information and access, but we’ve created exclusive products in partnership with I am a voter. and When We All Vote with proceeds benefiting both organizations.
WHY IS VOTING IMPORTANT?
It’s never felt more important than right now. Our vote is our voice. It’s the way to be heard, and it’s the way to effect change. I’m so proud to have the right and access to voting that I do. It’s a privilege we have to participate in our democracy, and I appreciate that more and more as I’ve gotten older. Voting feels especially important because of all of the voter suppression tactics we’ve continued to see. Our vote is that important and we have to use it. This election is too important to sit on the sidelines.
TELL US ABOUT THE FIRST TIME YOU VOTED.
The first time that I was able to vote for a president was Bill Clinton, and I was so excited to vote for a winning candidate. It made me feel powerful that I could vote for a progressive, highly intelligent person who would go on to win and govern our country. I felt a sense of pride in our country.
Get out there and exercise your right to vote. Your voice matters.
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