Pussy Riot is a Russian feminist punk-rock collective based in Moscow. Founded in August 2011, it consists of approximately 12 members, who wear brightly colored balaclavas and use only nicknames during interviews.
(Wikipedia)
On 17th of August, three members of Punk feminist protest band Pussy Riot have been found guilty of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred in a Moscow court after their performance in February inside a Russian Orthodox cathedral . Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 23, Maria Alekhina, 24, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29 were sentenced to two years in prison - the minimum sentence for such an offence open to the courts. In sentencing the judge argued that bands' feminist beliefs were part of encouraging religious hatred. There were protests outside the courts and world chess Grand Master, turned politician Gary Kasparov was arrested along with opposition politician, Sergei Udaltsov. Amnesty and Human Rights watch have both condemned the verdict whilst the Russian Orthodox church has called on the government to show "mercy". After the sentencing, Pussy Riot released a new single, Putin Lights up the Fires.
FASHION
Pussy Riot had a great idea to use colorful balaclavas as a symbol of a fight for freedom. As you can see on all the photos, anything whether it's a monument or a photo of Angelina Jolie, when colorful balanclava is added, it get a new meaning.
It is also an easy way to show a support to arrested singers. Wearing a balanclava automatically refers to Pussy Riot and the situation of freedom of speech in Russia.
Designers of a fashion brand, Gerlan Jeans decided to show their support to Pussy Riot by putting the pink, white and purple balaclavas on the three leading models at the final of their Spring/Summer 2013 show in London.
It is a perfect example of the power of the symbolism and the balaclava, because the models are wearing clothes that on a face of it do not have anything to do with speech freedom, revolution or the story of Pussy Riot. The added balaclava though, severly change the look and give it a new life with a story behind it.
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Gerlan Jeans, s/s 2013
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Pussy Riot is a great inspiration for a fashion editorial not only because it's an interesting subject to style and there is many creative ways to show the philosophy of the band, but mainly because the story behind these events are important for the World's freedom. As I said before, Pussy Riots can consider themselves as winners, because the entire World is talking now about speech freedom and generally human rights in Russia. That is why making a shoot inspired by Pussy Riot is not only working with fashion and clothes, but also supporting democracy and freedom of speech.
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| my DIY Pussy Riot t-shirt |
POPCULTURE:
Pussy Riot story is an inspiration and a warning for next genrations, but also an alert for the rest of the World. Right after girls were arrested, many artists, celebrities and politicians showed their support by sending letters to Wladimir Putin (for example Nobel prized, Poland's Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa : http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/5/33/52389/Arts--Culture/Music/Polands-Lech-Walesa-asks-Putin-to-pardon-Pussy-Rio.aspx ) creating songs and music videos (Peaches) or giving supporting speeches (Madonna)
Free Pussy Riot by Peaches:
Madonna supported Pussy Riot with her speech about freedom during her concert in Moscow on 7/8/2012:
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