Over the weekend, while brands were showing new Spring 2023 collections for New York Fashion Week, Imitation of Christ, Tara Subkoff‘s fashion line made up of entirely recycled pieces of clothing, was hosting a fashion protest—or a climate catwalk, if you will.
Holding signs that read “Oil is Death,” protestors stood in front of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s home in Park Slope, in response to what some activists have deemed his “dirty deal” with Joe Manchin to build more oil pipelines.
Lead in partnership with New York Communities for Change, a climate activist and community organizing group, models wore “Oil is Death” garments by Imitation of Christ alongside climate activists to raise awareness about the dangers of fossil fuel reliance. “The protest was a powerful day of visionary creatives and passionate activists coming together to put on an amazing show and send a critical message to Senator Schumer,” Tara Subkoff told BAZAAR.
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Models during the protest wearing Imitation of Christ “Oil is Death” garments, and holding matching signs.
Political activism is as much a part of Imitation of Christ’s DNA as recycled materials are. Subkoff has been working on the brand for over 22 years. “We were the OG Greta Thunberg of our time in 2000,” she says. While the fashion industry doesn’t have as negative an impact on climate change as the oil industry does, it’s responsible for a fair amount of damage.
Still, Subkoff feels hopeful: “I love that Balenciaga, Chloe, Prada, and Gucci are all focused on sustainability and upcycled materials.” Now more than ever, consumers are demanding accountability and sustainable practices from their favorite brands, especially the ones who haven’t previously been part of the conversation.
If the protest wasn’t enough, Subkoff also designed a SS23 collection inspired by the fall of Roe V. Wade. While unrelated to her climate activism, the intention remained the same. Subkoff says she wanted to ask: “What will it take for people to wake up and realize that our choices not only define us but define the future?”
“I just have a vision and feel it’s important to stay true to it and not sell out for financial gain,” Subkoff says. With Imitation of Christ, she certainly hasn’t; this season proves yet again that she’s interested in leading the charge, on or off the fashion week calendar.
Tara Gonzalez is the Senior Fashion Editor at Harper’s Bazaar. Previously, she was the style writer at InStyle, founding commerce editor at Glamour, and fashion editor at Coveteur.
Instead of a Fashion Show, Imitation of Christ Hosted a Climate Protest
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