Schiaparelli and Congo: Parallels between Couture and Corruption

Haute Couture week has kicked off in Paris, and per tradition, Schiaparelli opened. And while they showcased a gorgeous Couture collection, I can’t help but be distracted.

The collection blended old-world techniques with past and present technological elements. Most notably an ‘Alien Baby’ made of: wires, chips, batteries, displays, and more, and an emerald dress of the same design.

Having seen this just made me think about today’s global political climate more so than ‘fashion.’

Kids in Congo are being enslaved, poisoned, and killed to acquire these minerals used to make our phones and now essentially the same applies to this dress. While I’m sure or I hope that this is just repurposed material. The timing feels off. This is not sending a message. They’re not taking a stand. It’s easy to be oblivious and I have certainly been guilty of the same but this seems like a slap in the face.

Kids are dying to have this made and to show a baby especially makes me feel like I’m not delusional.

The disparity that people have for 3rd world countries has been accepted for far too long. It’s a parallel of this world that we have too long accepted.

I don’t think that this was purposefully done but while fashion is a form of expression and expression should be open, it wouldn’t hurt for brands to thoroughly consider factors beyond their drawing board and beyond their lifestyle.