Chanel Stages Feminist Protest, But Was It Genuine?

By Erika Adams Sep 30, 2014, 11:28am EDT

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Karl Lagerfeld is known for shocker finales and his Spring 2015 show for Chanel was no exception. Just a couple of hours ago, models took to Chanel's runway (a full-scale replica of a Parisian street) with protest signs and megaphones in a staged feminist protest—quite a turnaround from last season's trip to the supermarket. Cara Delevingne led the pack, orchestrating a chant that the models picked up along the way. Protest signs were emblazoned with slogans including "Boys should get pregnant too," and "We can match the machos."

While full reviews of the show have yet to go live, first impressions haven't all been supportive. A commenter on Dazed Digital thought the show felt like a mockery:

"On most instances the fashion industry is a big part of this problem. I'm not saying that fashion is not a place where feminist debate can take place but if fashion/the fashion industry does want to engage in this debate, there needs to be some reflection about it, or else it risks to look unsubstantial and ironic. Enrolling an army of physically formatted women (i.e young, tall, beautiful, skinny, white) to talk about feminism feels ironic as formulaic beauty is something that feminists tend to want to separate themselves from."