Adina Banea explains:
The adage, “fashion reforms what society rejects,” is a statement about the transformative power of fashion and design in reshaping perceptions, values, and norms. At its core, it reflects the belief that fashion is not merely an aesthetic pursuit but a social tool capable of challenging conventions, reclaiming forgotten narratives, and elevating the overlooked. Let me break it down in detail.Rephrasing the Adage : Fashion has the unique ability to take what is marginalized, dismissed, or seen as undesirable by society and reframe it into something celebrated, meaningful, and even aspirational. It is a medium of redemption for ideas, materials, and communities that society often disregards.The Philosophy Behind the Saying : This adage is rooted in the idea that design has a redemptive power—both symbolically and literally. The word “reforms” highlights the transformative nature of the fashion process, where something perceived as flawed or rejected is given a new identity and purpose. Meanwhile, “society rejects” refers to the biases, stigmas, or blind spots that exist in cultural, material, or aesthetic contexts. Fashion steps into this gap, acting as a bridge that changes perspectives and invites reconsideration of what has been dismissed.Examples of Redemption in Fashion 1. Materials: Designers have long reclaimed unconventional materials to create luxury. For instance, the use of discarded or humble fabrics like Tyvek (a material often associated with packaging or industrial use) in high-end garments showcases how something “unfashionable” can become the foundation of innovation and beauty. Similarly, upcycled and recycled fashion exemplify how waste can be redeemed into something valuable and sustainable. 2. Subcultures and Marginalized Communities: Fashion has often been a voice for the voiceless. Streetwear, for instance, emerged from communities once marginalized and is now a dominant force in high fashion. Similarly, designers who bring cultural narratives from indigenous or underrepresented groups to the forefront are redeeming traditions and stories that were once overlooked or suppressed by mainstream society. 3. Breaking Taboos: Certain fashion movements or designs challenge societal norms and make statements about inclusivity and acceptance. Gender-neutral clothing, for instance, reforms traditional gender binaries, offering a new lens to view identity and self-expression. 4. Historical Narratives: Fashion often draws inspiration from dark or painful parts of history to transform them into meaningful art. For example, my Renaissance Trench Coat draws from the themes of love and storytelling inspired by Jilava Prison, turning a tragic history into a poetic expression of resilience and hope.The Deeper Implication: This adage is not just about reclaiming physical materials or aesthetics but also about reshaping mindsets. It is an invitation to think differently, to find beauty in imperfection, and to question societal standards. It asks: What does society reject today? And how can fashion redeem it, giving it dignity and purpose?In a way, this philosophy aligns with broader cultural shifts toward inclusion, sustainability, and empathy. It challenges designers and wearers alike to see fashion as more than a consumer product but as a vehicle for social change. Every piece of clothing then becomes a statement—whether it is crafted from waste, inspired by marginalized voices, or breaking traditional molds.Conclusion“Fashion reforms what society rejects” encapsulates the idea that design is more than superficial—it is transformative, redemptive, and revolutionary. It inspires designers to take on the role of cultural reformers, challenging the status quo and rewriting the narrative for those ideas, materials, or identities society has left behind. This is the true power of fashion: to turn rejection into redemption.