Every Designer That Used Fashion to Make a Political Statement for Fall/Winter 2025

Fashion has long been a mirror to society, reflecting its beauty, chaos, and contradictions. This season, the Fall/Winter 2025 and couture shows did more than set trends. They made political statements, especially pertinent coming off the heels of the United States' presidential inauguration, trade wars, assaults on transgender rights, and more. From Paris to Milan, many designers used their platforms to spark conversation, challenge norms, and amplify causes close to their hearts as they unveiled their work, including related to environmental worries.

Willy Chavarria paid tribute to his Mexican heritage with vibrant folkloric influences, but he also closed his runway show with a viral audio clip of a Bishop asking President Trump to "have mercy." Moschino’s Adrian Appiolaza used his collection to call attention to the excessive waste that plagues the fashion industry. Diesel and Conner Ives made bold stands in support of transgender rights at a time when they are increasingly under attack in the U.S. Viktor & Rolf, always avant-garde, raised questions about technology’s role in creativity by incorporating A.I. into their show.

From cultural pride to human rights, these designers proved that fashion isn’t just about what we wear—it’s about what we stand for. Keep scrolling for a closer look at the most powerful statements from this season’s runways.

Willy Chavarria Fall/Winter 2025

Willy Chavarria has never forgotten where he came from and always celebrates his Mexican heritage in everything he does. His Fall/Winter 2025 collection, titled “Tarantula,” followed suit, arriving at a time of intense political turmoil in the United States and the ongoing slandering of immigrants. As the show’s finale began, Chavarria and his models walked back down the runway as a viral audio played of Bishop Mariann Budde begging President Trump and his constituents for compassion toward LGBTQ+ individuals and immigrants. Chavarria's T-shirt read, "How we love is who we are."

Moschino Fall/Winter 2025

During Moshino’s Fall/Winter 2025 show, Creative Director Adrian Appiolaza took more than one moment to call attention to some ongoing issues. Many looks in the collection appeared to be deconstructed, while others resembled garbage bags. Model Alex Consani’s closing look was a white t-shirt dress that featured the words "SOS" and "Save our Sphere," while she held three handbags that favored black garbage bags. The show came to a close with Appiolaza walking back down the runway for the finale in a sweatshirt that read “Don’t Be Silent," highlighting the need to address fashion’s problem with waste.

Diesel Fall/Winter 2025

If you weren’t paying close attention to the Diesel Fall/Winter 2025 show, you might have missed a subtle yet powerful message of solidarity on the graffiti-covered runway. As each model made their way down the catwalk, they passed a striking graffiti design—a heart emblazoned with the transgender flag.

Conner Ives Fall/Winter 2025

To close out his Fall/Winter 2025 show, Conner Ives emerged for the finale wearing a simple white T-shirt with an important message. Ives’ graphic tee read “Protect the Dolls,” emphasizing the importance of valuing trans lives in the United States at the moment. 

“I would not be where I am without the support I have been given by the dolls, so this is the least I could ever do to say thanks,” Ives said in an Instagram caption on the shirt’s charitable purposes. All proceeds received from purchases of the t-shirt will go to Trans Lifeline, a US-based trans-led organization to support trans people. The exact top is now available for pre-order on Conner Ives’ website.

Viktor & Rolf Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025

AI has been at every turn lately, and this season it infiltrated the Viktor & Rolf Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 show. An AI-generated voice provided narration to describe each look as the models made their way down the runway, one with an eerie porcelain doll. Creative directors Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren displayed an intriguing portrayal of the increasing intersection of artificial intelligence and human artistry.