‘Fashioning Power, Fashioning Peace’ at the Wilson House
By • April 9, 2025 0 280
“Fashioning Power, Fashioning Peace,” an exhibition and gala hosted by the President Woodrow Wilson House on Embassy Row, explores the intersection of fashion and diplomacy. The second annual event, it celebrates how cultural and personal style have historically been used as instruments of influence, storytelling and peacebuilding across cultures and generations.
“The success of last year’s inaugural event made it clear that this was more than just a one-time celebration,” said Felice Herman, deputy director of the Woodrow Wilson House. “Honoring the late Ambassador Esther Coopersmith, a true diplomat and connector, [the event] allows us to bring together voices from the worlds of politics, fashion and global affairs.”
Partners including embassies, designers and cultural leaders participate with a deep appetite for the program, which elevates softer, yet still powerful, tools of diplomacy.
Representatives from the Singaporean Embassy. Photo courtesy Woodrow Wilson House.
Attendees can expect to see a range of garments that reflect cultural identity and diplomatic intent. This year’s exhibition, on public view from May 8 to 10, will feature over 50 designers promoted by their embassies, showcasing outfits that tell stories of heritage, resilience, pride and innovation. There are traditional textiles reimagined for a modern lens as well as more avant-garde pieces that make bold political statements.
“We’re also thrilled to include designs by Runa Ray, representing the United Nations, whose work is rooted in sustainability and global unity, and Max Alexander, a young American fashion prodigy whose creativity defies age and expectation,” said Herman. “As a whole, the exhibition is as much about beauty and craftsmanship as it is about the deeper messages woven into every stitch, messages of identity, diplomacy and peace.”
After all, fashion is one of the most universal forms of expression. The clothing we all wear tells important stories about who we are, where we come from and what we value.
“In today’s world, where polarization and misunderstanding often dominate, fashion offers a unique and creative way to foster empathy and dialogue,” Herman added. “Whether it’s a diplomatic ensemble worn to signal unity or a garment rooted in centuries of tradition, fashion helps us see the person, the culture and the intention behind the cloth. That’s why ‘Fashioning Power, Fashioning Peace’ matters now more than ever. It’s about celebrating the shared human desire to be seen, to express and to connect.”
More information, the names of all 53 countries represented at the event and the full list of host committee members can be found at woodrowwilsonhouse.org. Tickets both for the gala, on Monday, May 5, and for the exhibition are available at woodrowwilsonhouse.org.
