Fashion And Feminism - How Do They Work Together?

Fashion And Feminism - How Do They Work Together?
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Fashion and feminism - they're two people who only hang out together because they have a mutual friend. It's awkward, it's prickly - neither wants to be left alone with each other.

And in some ways this discomfort is understandable - the fashion industry, at times, seems to do its best to isolate its target demographic. There's the super skinny models - the clothes only made for a very specific body shape.

There's the fact it really shouldn't matter what we look like, yet a whole industry exists to tell us it does – to tell us what femininity looks like.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: A model walks the runway at the Marios Schwab show at London Fashion Week AW14 at on February 16, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)
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There's the clothes you just know are designed for women with men's approval in mind. Yep, fashion and feminism - a hard couple to square.

I've been on both sides of the fence with this. On one hand, I shudder during fashion week when a model struts out wearing no underwear and see-through everything. It makes me feels like the fashion industry has completely ignored who its target audience is and what she needs. Personally, I'm never getting on the underground wearing no pants.

Then on the other hand, I've seen how much work goes into these designers' collections. The thought, the intention, the aim of creating something so beautiful the woman wearing it feels incredible. Designers are executing a vision – and is it the fashion industry's reposnisibility to make us feel empowered anyway?

Clothes have made me feel wonderful and dreadful. There have been times that - despite my qualifications and experience – the one thing giving me courage during an interview or important meeting is my outfit. Other times, it's been highly depressing to realise all someone sees and cares about is what I'm wearing - or not wearing.

What do you think? Is fashion a feminist issue and should it be? Tell us what you think @MyDailyUK.