1980s Feminist Fashion

Presenter: Jade Lutz

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 20-21

Semester: Spring

Faculty Mentor: Anne-Louise Dierkes

Department: Art

Funding Source/Sponsor: SYRCE Symposium

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1kbaa5inzSblFI6voWeE5XdcvGvbS9L2g

Abstract:
1980s Feminist Fashion: For my project I will be going into one of the 1980s fashion trends that helped women make their place in male dominated work places and fight against sexual harassment, power dressing. Power dressing was found on the runways of Paris and on the streets of New York City in the '80s because women were proving that they could work the same jobs as men, and maybe do their jobs a little better. Power dressing took over the entertainment industry when the biggest stars, like Michael Jackson and even Oprah, were spotted wearing beautiful power suits on album covers and the red carpet. Designers dedicated some of their collections to power suits supporting women empowerment, like Thierry Muglar and Giorgio Armani. Power dressing has made its way through history starting in the 1950s, and this trend does not plan on making any stops because power dressing has even carried over to the early 2020s ! Celebrities, Lady Gaga and Kendall Jenner, are only a few people who have been spotted in power suits from 2010-2021. Power dressing has made its name in the fashion industry and has helped many people stand up against gender discrimination, as well as sexual harassment in work places.