November 19, 2014 - Written by: Sana Sarwar

Is Topshop’s jewellery really helping battle domestic violence?

High street shop Topshop has teamed up with luxury jewellery designer Solange Azagury-Partridge to create jewellery to raise money for the charity Eliminate Domestic Violence.

The exclusive jewellery collection includes two necklaces and two pairs of earrings in gold and silver, featuring a pendant of a woman in a foetal position.

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It’s interesting and, in my opinion, commendable, how the high street shop has broken the social norm, by having fashion collaborate with real world issues such as domestic violence.

It’s certainly an eye opener for the fashionistas amongst us who love shopping at this high street shop. Teaching us that fashion is more than just an item of clothing that makes us feel pretty and helping us get that all-important glamourous feeling (to which I’m sure all you girls out there can relate).

Additionally, we learn through Topshop’s act that fashion can actually serve a better purpose: raising awareness about and helping battle societal issues.

Giving us girls some girl power!

Or so we think, as many argue that although the jewellery serves a great cause, the image on the jewellery itself remains a controversial issue.

On the downside, it can be argued that the image is actually helping perpetuate existing myths about women being vulnerable and feeble. That it is misinforming consumers by suggesting that the only form of domestic violence is physical, when it can be psychological and other types too.

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A training consultancy and campaigning organization Ending Victimization and Blame (EVB), argue in their article for HuffPost Lifestyle, “We don’t need to raise awareness of domestic violence. What we need to do is to take it seriously. We need the criminal justice system to hold perpetrators accountable. We need immediate investment in specialist services. What we don’t need is jewellery which fetishes domestic violence”

Designer Solange supports the provocative image, stating in an interview to the Independent: “It’s a strong image for that very reason. And that’s the strength behind this collection which is purposefully designed to be impactful, to make one take notice and face up to the reality of the hurt felt by the abused in our society.”

There is no doubt that the intention behind the jewellery is inspiring, but many argue that the message was not executed well. As EVP further adds, “Women living with domestic violence are not weak – they are survivors”.

Raising the question: does the jewellery actually help show women who have experienced domestic violence in a positive light, when it depicts these women as weak?

Would it have been better if Topshop showed women in a more heroic light, than feeble?

The collection will be available for purchase on the Topshop website exclusively from 25 November, but will you want to buy to help the charity (for more info about its work, see here) or do you feel this jewellery damages the perception of women who suffer domestic violence?

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