A Hymn to Freedom

"The show is a hymn to freedom," said Alessandro Michele, before the first look of the Cruise 2020 collection walked the runway in Rome’s Capitoline Museums.

Woven through the looks were messages from the Creative Director’s vision, the ideas of freedom and self-determination. How marginalized people and the choices they make about their lives are able to break free from society’s rules and norms to change history and be heard. Tulle embroidered phrases and numbers appeared on the reverse of tailored 70s-inspired looks. ‘My body my choice’ is a feminist slogan from the 70s which also features on a yellow T-shirt with the CHIME FOR CHANGE logo designed by artist MP5, while ‘22.5.78’ and ‘194’ refers to the date established of the Italian statute for the social protection of motherhood and the voluntary interruption of pregnancy, better known as statute 194. A flowing dress with pleated sleeves features an embroidery of a uterus. Other themes are connected to the show’s location, draped and folded gowns that recall the dress of Ancient Rome and clergy style decoration on capes and coats. New accessories included a softly structured tote with Horsebit hardware, the same renown hardware redesigned in graphic form on Princetown slippers. Extending out in three-dimensional detail, a feathered headpiece crowned a crystal-decorated 30s-style gown in moiré silk. Among the models walking the show were singer songwriter Bradford Cox, artist Joshua Hopping and actress Nicole Guerzoni.

100% of sales of the T-shirt will be donated to charities supported by @chimeforchange, in addition to the global partners for sexual and family health rights the campaign is donating to in 2019, which include:

Semillas, a local group organizing around destigmatizing and decriminalizing abortion in Mexico through a partnership with the Global Fund for Women.

A partnership with the Ms. Foundation, founded by Gloria Steinem, working with grassroots organizations in the US South, for inclusive reproductive justice movement that ensures women’s (particularly women of color) access to the full range of reproductive services.

Funding grants to youth activists globally who have created local advocacy projects on topics including contraception, comprehensive health services, adolescent health and HIV/AIDS.