Fashion Against Facism and Fossil Fuels. Empire of the Son: Drought and Deluge

 Youth Climate Activists weave together fashion and resistance for the upcoming Global Climate Strike

QUEZON CITY, September 12 – On September 15, Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP), the local branch of the Fridays for Future led by global climate activist Greta Thunberg, will hold a fashion show as part of its participation in the 2023 Global Climate Strike. The show is set to happen in Studio 72, Kalayaan Ave. in Quezon City. 

The show's ready-to-wear collection will serve as a meeting point for both resistance and style, with celebrities such as singer-songwriter Zild Benitez and drag queen Maria Christina, and advocates from various advocacy groups taking to the runway as models. The event, titled “Fashion Against Facism and Fossil Fuels. Empire of the Son: Drought and Deluge'', demands urgent action from the country’s policy makers and highlights the political underpinnings of the climate crisis. 

Alab Ayroso, the national coordinator of YACAP, says, “The current Marcos-Duterte Administration’s response to the climate isn’t only lacking, but is in fact actively harming the environment. Projects like megadams, reclamation projects and large-scale extractive mining have seen a rise in the past year.” Further, she explains that “fighting against the climate crisis goes hand in hand with opposing a fascist state. This is increasingly important as we see the red-tagging and human rights violations faced by environmental defenders grow under the current administration.” 

According to YACAP, the youth should take part in these conversations. “Conveying our advocacy through a flashy medium like fashion allows us to appeal to the interests of the mainstream population and the youth, while also inviting them to think critically about the state of climate in the country,” Karl Castro, artist and creative director of the project, said.  

EDITORIAL: David D'Angelo

As an advocate for climate justice, and someone who has consistently been on the side of nature for more than 20 years, I am in full support of this event and advocacy.  We need to stand up and do some real action considering the current climate crisis that we are facing.  A national declaration of Climate Emergency together with the enactment of a Climate Emergency Act will ensure that we are ready for what is about to come.