Chappell Roan continues to forge her own path and redefine what success means. After an appropriately dramatic rise to pop culture stardom, she is very open about the struggles that come with navigating sudden fame.
Her comments about refusing photographs and autographs in public are applauded by some as setting healthy boundaries for her mental health, while other fans are upset about it. She is also proving her commitment to her art and aesthetic by turning down brand deals with popular fast fashion brand H&M.
In an interview with Brittany Spanos for Rolling Stone, Roan said about brand deals:
“All the money goes to the world-building. That’s why I am saying no to every fucking brand deal right now because I’m like, ‘Does it fit in this world? No, H&M does not fit in this world.”
She also said that no amount of money would make her consider taking a brand deal right now.
Taking a Stance Against Fast Fashion
Roan isn’t the only star that doesn’t like fast fashion brands like H&M. In this clip from RuPaul’s Drag Race, the queen of extravagance rants against using basic fast fashion without taking it to the next level by altering it in some way.
Stars like Roan are turning down brand deals with fast fashion brands like H&M for more than just the aesthetic of their clothes.
Many fast fashion brands are under fire for making poor-quality clothing using processes that contribute to climate change. Fast fashion companies are also known to treat workers who create the clothing very badly, requiring incredibly long work hours for low pay in dangerous conditions.
Chappell Roan’s Fiercely Feminine Aesthetic
It’s really not a surprise that someone dedicated to serving drama in every on-stage look wouldn’t want to be a rep for a fast fashion brand like H&M. Roan says that her “Midwest Princess” aesthetic was inspired by the lavish and loudly feminine looks put together by drag artists when creating their on-stage looks. She even dedicated her recent VMA win to queer kids and drag artists.
Roan’s exuberant, over-the-top stage costumes and sets are the only fitting backdrop for her music and it’s not likely that will change even as she matures as an artist.
While there may someday be a good brand partner that celebrates her unique aesthetic, for now, she’s going to keep building her own joyously extravagant fashion worlds inspired by the colorful creations of drag artists.
