Fashion Has Become More Political Than Ever

Diane Gilman and Nyna Gilpin look at 1986 vs. 2026 and ask just how much the world has changed in 40 years.

They talk about fashion, culture, politics, women, social media, and the way each generation sees the world differently. Diane remembers a very different fashion landscape—one shaped by magazines, designers, and a handful of powerful voices—while today's trends are driven by creators, algorithms, and the constant speed of social media.

They also look at the optimism of the 1980s, the changes women have experienced, the return of 80s and 90s fashion, and why we keep looking backward for inspiration.

But the conversation gets much bigger than fashion.

Diane and Nyna talk about climate change, the future of the planet, aging, relevance, and what today's 40-year-olds might remember about the world when they're 80.

If you could go back to 1986—or look ahead to 2066—which world would you rather see?

Chapters00:00 – 1986 vs. 2026: Two Very Different Worlds

02:05 – Fashion From the 80s to Today

04:03 – 40 Years of Cultural & Political Change

06:03 – How Fashion Became More Casual

08:01 – The End of Fashion's Old Gatekeepers

10:00 – The Hopefulness of 1986