There’s no denying that the outfit you choose for the day can have a profound impact not just on how you look, but how you feel, too – and that, in turn, can influence the unfolding of your entire day. Fashion is becoming more diverse, and in 2022, there’s almost nothing considered off limits when it comes to the catwalks, or getting dressed at home in the mornings, and expression through clothing and accessories is encouraged now more than it ever has been before.
But despite these clear advancements in fashion, the industry itself still needs to change and adapt in order to keep up with the current time. Academic Otto von Busch has stated that there is a “growing consensus…that the modus operandi of the fashion system is in need of change,” but he also believes that for that to happen, agency and power must come together. According to von Busch, it’s important for designers to ask what sort of power is required to create change as well as “how such power can be mobilised, cultivated and leveraged.”
Most will agree that it’s a point worth consideration – but what exactly is it that needs to change in the first place? Well, for starters, we need to see an increase in diversity. It isn’t enough for clothing and accessories to be pushing the boundaries and breaking out of the box, and we need the world’s leading fashion houses to do the same – embracing minority groups into the fold and allowing them to shine.
Hua Cline, founder of fashion brand Milanblocks, represents the growing contingent of female-minority entrepreneurs who are making waves in the fashion industry at present. Her path to success has not been an easy one, however, and she has worked hard to carve out a piece of the industry for herself. This, in part, represents the power of fashion, as it is able to facilitate a space in which female-minority entrepreneurs can find success, and it’s an inspiring story that many others in the field could learn from, as well as being uplifted by.
Hua Cline and Milanblocks
You could say that for Cline, the path into the fashion world was one she always knew, somewhere deep down, that she wanted to take. First exhibiting her passion and aptitude for design at the tender age of just seven when she began designing and creating clothing for her dolls, it was a passion that sadly went unsupported by her parents, and when it was time to choose her university course, she opted to study business instead.
Although it wasn’t the future she’d dreamed of as a little girl, she persevered – but by the end of it, she could no longer ignore the feeling that the fashion world was where she was meant to be. Pulling out all the stops to make it a reality, she paid for her own fashion education and attended some of the most prestigious fashion schools in the world, setting in motion an exciting rise to prominence over the years that would follow.
Shortly after relocating to the US in 2012, Cline found herself in a poor financial situation with a great deal of time on her hands, and decided to list some of her unwanted fashion items for sale on eBay in a bid to drum up some cash.
The idea turned out to be a roaring success and sparked an idea to create her own fashion label and sell it in a similar way. Deciding it was now or never, she took the leap and set about bringing her vision to life, starting by designing and creating unique evening bags made from unconventional materials such as wood and acrylic.
The use of unusual materials turned out to be an inspired decision that got her noticed for all the right reasons, and continues to be a staple of her design practices for Milanblocks to this day.
Milanblocks on the power of fashion
Fashion is a powerful tool of communication, and what an individual decides to wear, as well as how they style it, says a lot about them. Every time you put on an outfit and go out somewhere in it, you’re making a statement about yourself and your personal sense of style, and it’s this sense of expression that Milanblocks wholeheartedly embraces.
The brand’s bold and highly stylised designs are instantly recognisable, and are what Milanblocks has become known for. Incorporating unconventional fashion elements and unapologetic colour at every opportunity without losing the distinct aesthetic of high fashion, the result is a truly individualised collection of bags, accessories and swimwear, which is bursting at the seams with personality and exuberance.
But the power of fashion goes beyond self-expression alone; it’s also a platform for societal change and development. Milan prides itself on being at the forefront of this, with a distinct focus on pioneering diversity and sustainability. The fashion industry can be a closed door to many people, particularly those who are in minority groups – and it’s something Milanblocks wants to change. And, in striving for sustainability in the fashion industry by using high-quality sustainable materials, resulting in a lower environmental impact and more durable products, it’s paving the way for other fashion brands to follow suit.
There’s no denying that fashion is powerful, but we’re only now beginning to truly understand the breadth of its influence – not just in terms of how we look and feel, but how it can be used for the greater good, too, and to inspire long-term, positive societal change. With brands like Milanblocks determined to use their platforms for the better, the future is certainly looking brighter for both fashion professionals and consumers alike, and a brighter, bolder and more conscious era is upon us all.
