Ever since Hedi Slimane's Saint Laurent SS14 menswear show featured androgynous-looking models strutting down the runway wearing bandannas around their necks, the accessory has quickly became a street-style favorite among the fashion elite, inspiring the Coachella looks of Taylor Hill, Kendall Jenner, and many an ELLE team member's #whatELLEwears wardrobe.
However, while the classic accessory continues to adorn the necks and waistlines of fashion stars, there's a more important reason why you'll be seeing bandanas – white ones, to be exact – on the wrists of designers, models and industry leaders this season.
This season, the Business of Fashion (BoF) is launching a campaign called #TiedTogether, encouraging people to wear white bandanas 'in support of human unity and inclusiveness amidst growing uncertainty and a dangerous political narrative peddling division on both sides of the Atlantic,' according to a letter obtained by Refinery 29 from BoF's founder and editor-in-chief, Imran Amed.
The initiative kicked off last night at Tommy Hilfiger's AW17 show on Venice Beach, California where several models strutted down the catwalk wearing white bandanas amid an audience of spectators who also sported the accessory.
Designers including Diane von Furstenberg, Prabal Gurung, Phillip Lim, and Thakoon Panichgul have also reportedly committed to the #TiedTogether idea.
Amed writes: 'In fashion, visuals often speak louder than words. So join together this Fashion Month to make a simple and singular visual statement.
'Wear a white bandana as a sign to the world that you believe in the common bonds of humankind — regardless of race, sexuality, gender or religion,' he added.
The BoF explains how to support the initiative in your everyday fashion choices by tying one to your clothes, neck, wrist or in your hair and posting an image with the hashtag.
On the organizations website, BOF urges members of the fashion industry to include the accessory in their day-to-day work during fashion month: designers are urged to incorporate the bandana in their final bows, photographers are asked to take photos of people wearing them in the street and editors are asked to spread the word about the campaign on social media.
The website's message reads: 'In light of the current uncertainties and turmoil around the world, The Business of Fashion invites the fashion industry to stand together and make a clear statement of solidarity, unity and inclusiveness.
'This is not a political statement, it is a positive statement in support of humanity during a time of turmoil and fear in many nations around the world. We aim to start a global movement within the fashion industry to demonstrate the power of unity and inclusivity, and encourage fashion enthusiasts and people outside the industry to join,' it adds.
Find out more about #TiedTogether on the initiative's site, here.
Bandanas at the ready.
