A quick survey of 2012 runway shows, ready-to-wear campaigns, fashion editorials and blogs will reveal that armor-inspired fashion trends are pervading the fashion world. Spiked heals and helmets, studded shoulder pads and bodysuits, metal eye-patches, industrial accessories, chain mail body jewelry and leather military harnesses are saturating the market. Designers are capitalizing on this fierce, “bad-ass,” urban-warrior motif, as they embellish every possible accessory with spikes and sharp geometric shapes. The season’s muse seems to be a fusion of medieval warrior (reminiscent of Joan of Arc), futuristic space voyager (think Prometheus) and post-apocalyptic combatant (Katniss Everdeen, heroine of The Hunger Games). A woman, clad in this highly angular, metal-plated gear, delivers an assertive message that discourages contact and fortifies a barrier between herself and her onlooker. Is her objective one of defense by intimidation, or one of offense by preparation, as she is fully equipped to battle? I wager it is both. The overwhelming effect of this style is one of female empowerment. Why do designers feel compelled to armor women? As I analyze this fashion trend, I ask: what is the threat? What do women need protection from? Inversely, what are women fighting against? In the context of social policy in the United States, I deduce that women are fighting for themselves. They are fighting to claim what is justly theirs: the controversial right to control their own bodies... Read more & see mixed media painting: http://sabrinabrett.blogspot.com/2012/11/taking-up-arms.html

1. “Taking Up Arms” Inspiration Slideshow
http://sabrinabrett.blogspot.com/2012/11/taking-up-arms.html
Jewelry Design by Shaun Leane

2. Fashion Design by Rachel Freire, Collection A/W 2010/2011

3. ‘Blue Angel’ Publication, SOMA Magazine Fall 2012, Model - Angelica, Photographer - Filippo del Vite

4. Fashion Design by Frankie Morello

5. “Musas de Fantasía,” S Moda September 2012, Photographer - Satoshi Saikusa, Models - Nadine Ponce and Ella Kandyba

6. “Musas de Fantasía,” S Moda September 2012, Photographer - Satoshi Saikusa, Models - Nadine Ponce and Ella Kandyba

7. Model - Andrej Pejic

8. “The Warrior Way,” Vogue US March 2010, Model - Daria Werbowy, Photographer - David Sims, Stylist - Grace Coddington

9. Fashion Designer
Fashion Design by Úna Burke

10. Model - Andrej Pejic

11. Fashion Design by Jean Paul Gaultier, Collection Spring

12. Masha Novoselova by Solve Sundsbo

13. Numéro Magazine April 2009, Model - Jamie Bochert, Photographer - Greg Kadel

14. Harper’s Bazaar Arabia 2012 Calendar, Fashion Design by Furne Amato, Amato Haute Couture

15. “Dame of Thrones,” W Magazine September 2012, Model - Kristen McMenamy, Photographer - Tim Walker, Stylist - Jacob K

16. Fashion Design by Rachel Freire, Collection A/W 2010/2011

17. Fashion Design by Iris Van Herpen, Haute Couture, Spring 2012

18. Fashion Design by Iris Van Herpen, Haute Couture, Fall 2012

19. Fashion Design by Maison Martin Margiela, Collection F/W 2011

20. Fashion Stylist - Barbara Palladino

21. Jewelry Fashion Design by Thierry Mugler

22. Photograph by Lado Alexi

23. Fashion Design by Givenchy at Paris Fashion Week Spring 2011

24. Model - Katy Perry wearing The Blonds corset, Photographer - Mike Ruiz

25. Fashion Designer: Ann Demeulemeester

26. Vogue Netherlands November 2012, Model - Anna de Rijk, Photographer - Marc de Groot

27. Fashion Design by Jean Paul Gaultier, Haute Couture S/S 2010

28. Cyber Glam by Maurizio Fantini

29. Fashion Design by Nina Ricci, RTW Collection Spring 2013

30. Fashion Design by Scherer Gonzalez

31. Rihanna wearing shoulder piece by Bryce Aime in “Hard” music video, 2009