Hold onto your chokers and brightly embroidered bomber jackets- it turns out that fashion, or rather the modern fashion industry, may be doing us much more harm than good. Sure, everyone knows that the industry has a history of promoting unrealistic and unhealthy body standards, but could the wrongs of today’s fashion run deeper and span a wider variety of issues than previously imagined?

In short, the answer is yes. By allowing consumers to buy fashion on such an enormous and highly manufactured scale, the consumer is removed from the middlemen who would traditionally assist in the process of clothing and accessorizing individuals. Fashion has instead come to revolve around making as much money as possible instead of creating art and/or practical clothing for those who wear it. After all, what purpose do trends serve other than to make the fashion industry lots and lots of money? Trends don’t account for the fact that they will not flatter every person that wears them, that a great number of people exist whose body shape and/or size might make wearing particular garments difficult.

What’s more, most fast fashion sites are not concerned with the quality of their clothing, nor do they put any real effort into sizing their clothes consistently. On top of this, clothing sizes vary significantly from brand to brand, and when coupled with the demonization of “larger” sizes, this variation leads many of us to wear clothes that are the wrong size or do not fit us properly. Tailors have been more or less erased from the clothing industry, their services sought out almost exclusively by the wealthy or  for special occasions. The fashion industry has managed to sell the lie that there is a “typical” set of measurements for any particular “size”, that attaining as many cheap clothes as possible in a short period of time is more worthy one’s money than taking well-crafted items to a tailor, regardless of whether or not the aforementioned cheap clothes actually fit the person who’s buying them.

In this age of social media, too, it’s important to consider the role of blogger as a part of the larger fashion industry. Style bloggers often market themselves as being “relatable” and providing honest, practical advice and reviews of clothing, accessories, and beauty products. However, behind this illusion lies a reality in which the bloggers are essentially nothing more than paid models and/or spokespeople for a particular brand: they are given money to wear, review, or otherwise promote the brand’s products in a positive and enviable light, and rewarded positively for spending that money (as well as their time) on curating bodies that are or at least appear to be perfect. Of course, all of this is done with the ultimate goal of associating those “perfect” bodies with the brand itself, as if the two are somehow inexplicably linked and in buying the item, a person can buy perfection, as well.

If the fashion industry is killing us, manipulating our idea of beauty in a way that robs of both our money and our peace of mind, how do we get them to stop? How do we say no to trends, to flimsy chokers and bomber jackets with loose threads and cheap buttons, when this manipulation has been taking place our entire lives? What do we do when the fashion industry has been killing us since the day we were born?

If art is inherently political, then menswear label’s Abasi Rosborough’s new collection “E Pluribus Unum” serves as a powerful reminder that fashion, despite modern mass consumption and production, is at its core still incontestably art. The presentation of the collection on the label’s site features quotes from legendary protesters, such as Dr. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, interspersed with different looks and outfits, many of which also bear reference to rebellion or a disruption of the status quo. “E Pluribus Unum” ultimately shows us that Abasi Rosborough’s garments are a reflection of our time, of current unrest and the desire for change- at least as much as they are a reflection of the designers themselves.

Abasi Rosborough was started by Abdul Abasi and Greg Rosborough. With Rosborough referencing his prior career in sports and Abasi drawing from many years of service in the U.S. military, the pair have created a line that blends these differing experiences harmoniously and in a distinctly modern approach to menswear. Rosborough also pulls inspiration from his Scottish origins and Abasi, his Nigerian, though the two have also made a point of drawing inspiration from a variety of locations and cultures across the globe.

So what exactly is “E Pluribus Unum”, as both a saying and as Abasi Rosborough’s latest collection? In broader terms, it is a Latin phrase that translates to “out of many, one”, and it is considered to be the “traditional” or original motto of the United States. For Abasi Rosborough, though, “E Pluribus Unum” is an exploration of political dissatisfaction and journey through protest, all conceived in terms of cut, line, color, and fabric.

While the timing of such a collection is undoubtedly precise- that is, “E Pluribus Unum” is by its nature a reflection of the current political atmosphere both in the United States and the world at large- the clothing itself appears to draw inspiration from a variety of eras. Outfits presented next to Tolstoy quotes seem evocative of peasantry, of working classes and styles present during the Russian Revolution, leaning on dark colors, long coats, fingerless gloves, combat boots, and loose cloth caps. Similarly, a particular garment in the collection- that is, the red and black coat which falls to the model’s thigh and possesses a thick strap connecting the two sides of the jacket, appears referential to uniforms worn during the American Revolution. Still other looks feel more recent, like the red plaid kerchief tied around the lower half of a model’s face, which to an American viewer in particular might elicit some of the imagery and emotions of the Ferguson protests of 2014 and 2015.

Keeping in mind the designers’ backgrounds in the military and in sports, perhaps Abasi Rosborough was the brand best suited to produce “E Pluribus Unum” . Here, the frustrations of subjugated peoples have been interwoven with professionalism, a sense of purpose; Abasi Rosborough has turned the fashions of those so often deemed criminals, thugs, and troublemakers into a collective uniform, one that appears to draw not only from the fashion of protesters, but from the uniforms of the military and athletics, as well.

While it’s true that “E Pluribus Unum” calls upon global influences, it is also distinctly American. There is purpose in the collection’s many references to communism and civil rights- movements which, historically speaking, have been and continue to be discredited in the U.S. as being “un-American”. More specifically, there is purpose in pairing these references with references to the American Revolution and the founding of the nation, from the one soldier-like strap of the one red coat to the titling of the collection after the original motto of the United States. Through “E Pluribus Unum”, Abasi Rosborough almost seems to be suggesting that protest and rebellion are essential qualities of the United States, rather than violations of the country’s larger ethical standard.

First launched in 2013, Abasi Rosborough considers itself to be eco-friendly and is currently based out of New York City.

Fashion is expressive, and it should definitely be based off what you like. Ideally, it is supposed to be about finding what makes you look beautiful at any occasion and while there are a few rules that just should be followed (I mean, under no circumstances should you wear Chelsea boots or jumpsuit to your wedding), your reliance on trends when picking out your wedding dress should be minimal.

This is why fashion is ideally supposed to be what you make of it.

Need more convincing? Take a look:

Getting dressed is easier

It’s actually very true. When you do not have to dress for the sake of meeting up with the standards that have been set by various vogues and trends, it becomes much easier for you to just get dressed and look at your best for yourself. You are able to maximize your own comfort, and that means that you will feel much less tired at the end of the day.

Embrace the opportunity to stand out

Sometimes, choosing to go against what is considered as a trend when looking at choices for your wedding dress can be your own form of making a fashion statement.

Sometimes, you’re subconsciously creating your own “thing” by choosing not to conform to what is seen as the “in thing.”

Certain trends might not make you feel happy and confident

Whatever it is that you wear; you should wear it because it makes you happy. On any day, you should definitely be confident and sure of yourself, especially when it comes to what you’re wearing. Wearing anything just because of the fact that it is “in vogue” can end up making you uncomfortable, and that will reduce your confidence.

To solve this, make sure to wear what makes you happy and comfortable. Do this, and there’s no doubt that you’ll feel much better about yourself.