White Bandanas Make Political Statement on the Tommy Hilfiger Runway

On Wednesday, London-based fashion news website The Business of Fashion announced #TIEDTOGETHER, a campaign that encourages people to wear white bandanas “to make a clear statement in support of human unity and inclusiveness amidst growing uncertainty and a dangerous narrative peddling division.”

From designers to models to influential showgoers, BOF  hopes the fashion crowd will wear white bandanas on their wrists, necks, heads and/or bags at this month’s fashion shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris.

If Wednesday’s Tommy Hilfiger show in Los Angeles — a runway on the Venice Beach boardwalk with 3,000 guests including Lady Gaga — is any indication, the movement already has momentum. Models including Gigi Hadid and her younger sister Bella Hadid all walked the runway with white bandanas wrapped around their wrists — a subtle political statement by the designer who dodged the subject of politicizing business in the Trump era when speaking to THR backstage, saying, “I’m just focused on what we’re trying to do with our brand, which is disrupt.” Nevertheless, on the runway, Hilfiger himself had a white bandana tied to the back of his jeans.

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The bandana campaign comes at a time when battle lines are being drawn in business over Donald Trump’s presidency, with retail and clothing brands Nordstrom, LL Bean and Under Armor being drawn into the public debate.

It also follows last week’s announcement of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Fashion Stands With Planned Parenthood campaign to raise awareness about the health care organization during New York Fashion Week, which includes wearing hot pink buttons emblazoned with the nonprofit’s logo.

At her L.A. dinner and show on Tuesday night, designer Rachel Comey gave the Planned Parenthood buttons as a parting gift.

Ladies and gentlemen, the new ‘It’ accessories.