“ICE Out” Pins Are All Over New York Fashion Week and the Red Carpets—What’s Next?

A quiet shift is underway in the worlds of fashion and entertainment, as a growing number of figures are using their platforms to signal support for political and social causes. While past efforts often centered on simply encouraging voter registration, a more direct approach is emerging, marked by visible displays of solidarity with specific issues.

From Hollywood to the Runway

The movement gained momentum following the killing of Renée Good by ICE in January. In response, Jess Morales Rocketto, director of Maremoto, and Nelini Stamp, director of strategy at Working Families Power, quickly mobilized to create “ICE Out” pins. These pins were first deployed at the Golden Globes, distributed “grassroots” style among attendees.

Celebrity Support

Ariana Grande was seen wearing a pin at the Golden Globes, having received it from Mark Ruffalo. The pins continued to gain visibility at the Sundance Film Festival, worn by Natalie Portman, Olivia Wilde, and Zoey Deutsch. The movement reached a peak at the Grammys, where Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell, Carole King, and Joni Mitchell were among those displaying the pins. Notably, winners Bad Bunny and Olivia Dean used their acceptance speeches to speak about immigration.

Did You Know? The “ICE Out” pin campaign originated in the immediate aftermath of Renée Good’s death in January, with organizers swiftly leveraging the Golden Globes as an initial platform for visibility.

New York Fashion Week Joins the Conversation

The campaign then extended to New York Fashion Week, where several designers chose to incorporate the pins into their shows. Hillary Taymour of Collina Strada, Henry Zankov, Christian Cowan, Patricio Campillo, Rachel Scott of Diotima, and Proenza Schouler were among those who displayed the pins. Rachel Scott and Rio Uribe also directly addressed the political climate in their collections and during interviews.

Expert Insight: The expansion of this political messaging from Hollywood to New York Fashion Week suggests a broadening recognition among influential figures of the potential for using their platforms to advocate for social change, even if it risks alienating some audience segments.

Scott emphasized the importance of speaking out, stating, “If you have a platform of any form, you need to be saying something about what’s happening,” particularly within the cultural sphere of fashion. Morales Rocketto described the pins as “an entry point into other things,” suggesting a desire to spark further engagement and dialogue.

Frequently Asked Questions

What prompted the creation of the “ICE Out” pins?

The pins were created in response to the killing of Renée Good by ICE in January, as a symbol of solidarity and to raise awareness.

Which events saw significant participation with the “ICE Out” pins?

The pins were prominently displayed at the Golden Globes, Sundance Film Festival, and the Grammys, before appearing at New York Fashion Week.

What did Rachel Scott say about the role of fashion in political discourse?

Rachel Scott stated that those with a platform, especially in fashion, have a responsibility to speak out about current events, as fashion operates within the realm of culture.

As this trend continues, it remains to be seen whether more designers and celebrities will embrace overt political messaging, and how audiences will respond to this increased visibility of activism within the entertainment and fashion industries.