Throughout history, fashion has been used as a tool to reflect and comment on the societal issues of the respective times. Recently, this has meant social and political activism around women’s rights and people of colour, as well as challenging racism and inequality within the system.
At the recently concluded New York Fashion Week SS23 event, New York City-based Grenadian-born fashion designer, Felisha “Fe” Noel, used her new collection to make a bold statement highlighting the income and retirement disparity between men and women. In collaboration with TIAA, an American retirement financial services provider, Noel debuted The Dre$$ — a grand, show-stopping corseted and structured gown made from artificial dollar bills, to drive her message.
Driving social change
As the brand’s first couture gown, the “money dress” represents 30%, an equivalent of $1,6 million in retirement savings, that women lose during their lifetime due to the wage pay gap. “When you first see the dress, it’s like this ridiculous, massive piece of art. And the reason why I use the word ‘ridiculous’ is because when I first found out the statistics and the disparity between men and women in retirement, I gasped and I was like ‘that’s insane…’,” Noel told WWD. With this collaboration, both Noel and TIAA aim to drive the conversation and bring more awareness to women’s retirement and salary inequalities.
The World Bank reports that around 2,4 billion women of working age are not awarded equal economic opportunities. Furthermore, women face legal barriers that restrict their full economic participation and prevent them from getting equal pay.
Meet Onome Ezekiel, the Makeup Artist Glamming Nigeria’s Entertainment Industry
Fe Noel’s SS23 Collection
In addition to spotlighting inequality against women in the workplace, the collection explored the emotion of grief and saw the designer channel anguish into beauty and story-driven garments. Divided into three parts, the show started with delicate, glossy designs boasting ruched detailing that symbolised fragility.
In the second part of the show, models walked in largely black, tailored designs with occasional off-white touches making an appearance. With emotional-looking models seemingly in distress — tears streaming down from their eyes, the looks here were defined by Noel’s pain of recently losing a family member. The designs carried through an attitude of dark romanticism brought to life by puffy sleeves and diaphanous fabrics styled with dark and runny eyeshadow.
The final section focussed on joy and rebirth, and the designer introduced resort wear, see-through sheer fabrics in the form of occasion dresses, and shimmering gowns oozing with elegance and red carpet appeal all embodying a celebration of freedom and femininity.
African Fashion Books to Buy and Read Now
Championing women's empowerment
Noel, who started her career as a boutique owner, has been a champion for women’s empowerment since she launched her label in 2011. Apart from running her own brand, she also helps young women start their own businesses. With her eyes set on educating the youth to become the next generation of female entrepreneurs, this is just the beginning of the designer’s journey to uplift women.