“Fashion Victims” Installation Brings Bangladesh Textile Factory Accidents to the First World

Yolanda Dominguez Fashion Victims Close-up Shot

Aerial shot of actress on ground - Fashion Victims Yolanda Dominguez

The art of Yolanda Domínguez, of Spain, aims to incite a reaction from viewers and generate social criticism, especially regarding women’s place in society. Take Domínguez’ living installation from 2011, “Poses,” where actressess posed on city streets just as models pose in fashion magazines. Seeing women in the middle of walkways frozen in outrageous postures stirred passersby into sometimes comical reactions while critiquing the fashion industry’s unreal representations of women.

In her most recent installation, “Fashion Victims,” Domínguez creates an even more shocking piece of performance art as a commentary on the April 24 collapses of textile factories in Bangladesh that killed 1,127 workers. In the piece, actresses lie on the streets of Madrid covered in packing boxes and fashion accessories, as if overworked by too much shopping. The actresses are positioned in such a way to provoke passersby into realizing that the unchecked greed for fashion is part of a vicious cycle of  poor working conditions maintained by the supply and demand for the fashion industry. Posed in front of popular international stores such as Mango, one of the largest brands present in the the fallen Bangladesh factories, the actresses also shame big names in fashion that promote poor working conditions in Bangladesh.

The actresses sparked surprise, confusion, and concern among those shopping in Madrid’s fashion streets. Here is a video and a few photos of reactions to “Fashion Victims:”

fashion victim in front of Mango - Yolanda Dominguez

Woman looking at fashion victim - Yolanda Dominguez

fashion victim closeup yolanda dominguez

man concerned with fashion victim yolanda diaz

Domínguez aims her artwork to inspire reactions in both men and women. Many of her pieces have incited debate and generated controversies. “Poses” has received over 800,000 views on YouTube and has been featured globally on television and the radio as well as in newspapers. To learn more about “Fashion Victims,” visit Domínguez’ website.

Lauren Mobertz

By Lauren Mobertz

Lauren is the former managing editor for DashBurst. One part geek, one part urban nomad, she is constantly scouting for the latest tech and world news. In the evenings you'll find Lauren running in strange places or attempting to dance salsa.

7 comments

  1. It may make people think for a moment, but I fail to see the connection between high fashion and this artist’s message since I hardly think any fashion label is interested in making cheap clothes in Bangladesh.

    1. Richard, Countless fashion labels manufacture in Bangladesh. Mango is just one example. Bangladesh factories turn out clothing for for everyone from Walmart to H&M. It is the biggest industry here.

  2. If the artist wanted to really make an important connection with her ‘actor’ and art, then the model should be dressed in cheap Wal-Mart clothing instead and should be obese.

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