Why speaking Up Matters in Fashion Right Now

Fashion loves to tell us it is progressive. It loves the language of change, diversity and inclusion. But every so often someone says something that reminds us how fragile that progress really is.

That is where Lyas comes in.

Lyas is not a designer or a celebrity stylist. He is a fashion journalist who has built his voice through observation, criticism and a refusal to stay silent when something feels wrong. In an industry that often rewards politeness over honesty, his decision to publicly address Dolce & Gabbana and their racially charged runway presentation landed with weight.

Not because it was dramatic. But because it was necessary.

Speaking Up When It Is Easier to Stay Quiet

Fashion has a long history of brushing uncomfortable moments under the rug. When a brand is powerful enough, criticism tends to be softened or avoided altogether. Access matters. Invitations matter. Careers can hinge on being agreeable.

That is what made Lyas speaking out so significant. He did not shout. He did not posture. He simply said what many people were thinking. That the show leaned into harmful stereotypes. That it felt tone deaf in a moment when the industry claims to be more aware. That creativity should never come at the expense of respect. What made his response resonate was its clarity. It was not outrage for attention. It was disappointment from someone who cares deeply about fashion and wants it to do better.

Why His Voice Matters in This Industry

Lyas represents a generation of fashion commentators who are not interested in protecting brands at all costs. He is part of a wider shift where journalists and critics no longer see their role as gatekeepers but as observers who hold power to account.

He also represents something else that is still rare in fashion media. A young Black French voice speaking with authority in a space that has historically excluded people who look like him.That visibility matters. Not as a token but as a presence that changes the tone of conversation. When someone like Lyas speaks, it challenges the idea that fashion criticism must come from a narrow group of insiders. It reminds the industry that audiences are watching and they are not passive.

Dolce and Gabbana and the Pattern We Keep Seeing

The reaction to the Dolce and Gabbana show did not come out of nowhere. The brand has faced repeated criticism over the years for racially insensitive campaigns and comments. Each time, the response tends to follow the same script. Apologies are issued. Explanations are offered. Time passes. Then something else happens.

What Lyas did differently was refuse to treat this as an isolated incident. His commentary framed it as part of a larger pattern. One where shock value is mistaken for creativity and cultural reference is used without understanding or care. That framing is important. Because it moves the conversation away from outrage cycles and towards accountability.

The Role of Gen Z in Changing Fashion Culture

There is also a generational shift happening that cannot be ignored. Gen Z consumers do not separate creativity from ethics in the way previous generations often did. They expect brands to stand for something and to be consistent about it.

They also expect transparency. When something feels wrong they talk about it openly on social platforms. They question casting choices. They analyse campaigns. They share criticism quickly and without apology. This is not cancel culture. It is cultural literacy.

Lyas sits perfectly within this shift. His commentary reflects the way younger audiences engage with fashion. Thoughtfully. Critically. Without the reverence that once shielded luxury houses from scrutiny.

Why This Moment Feels Different

What makes this moment feel important is not just what was said but how it was received. The conversation did not disappear overnight. It travelled. It sparked discussion. It forced people to sit with discomfort instead of scrolling past it.

That is progress of a sort. Fashion does not change overnight. It evolves through pressure. Through voices that refuse to smooth things over. Through people who understand that loving fashion does not mean defending it blindly.

The Bigger Picture

Fashion is at a crossroads. It can either continue to treat criticism as an attack or start seeing it as a necessary part of growth. Voices like Lyas push the industry towards the second option. His presence matters because it signals a future where fashion journalism is not just about trends and front rows but about responsibility. About who gets represented. About who gets listened to. About who feels welcome in the world fashion creates.

And perhaps most importantly, it reminds the industry that silence is no longer neutral.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is speak up and refuse to look away.