Getting Political at the Grammys
Joy Villa's "Make America Great Again" Dress at the Grammy Awards in 2017
(Photo: Vanity Fair)
On February 12, 2017, singer/songwriter Joy Villa attended The 59th Grammy Awards wearing a gown with the Pro-Trump motto “Make America Great Again” embellished across the front. On the backside, President Donald Trump’s last name was printed along the bottom. A surge of backlash appeared on all social media platforms in response to Villa’s political message and her controversial label as a “Feminist” on her Twitter bio.
(Via Twitter)
(Via Twitter)
However, several conservatives and fans supported Villa’s fashion statement and commended her for her bravery.
(Via Twitter)
The tie between fashion and politics has always been a phenomenon to me. Why should we care that Hillary Clinton wears pantsuits? How does her outfit have any influence on her political stance? Society often critiques women of political power (or any power) based on their appearance, so fashion is not unfamiliar territory to politics and the media.
However, Hillary Clinton does not have Democratic mottos bedazzled onto her outfits. There is a significant contrast between “fashion and politics” and “fashion as politics.”
In Villa’s case, her dress is particularly difficult when it comes to my own perspective on it. Although I loathe Trump and conservative views in general, I feel as though I cannot completely despise this dress since it is a form of expression. Isn’t that the primary goal of fashion? The ability to present your true self?
I definitely believe it was inappropriate to use a red carpet event as a political platform, especially since the ceremony was meant to commemorate artists and their musical achievements. But as long as there was no violence involved, was Villa’s dress truly causing any harm or distress?