Designer calling out ICE on the runway

Jamaican-born designer Rachel Scott tells CNN how she's using her brand, Diotima, as a platform for political expression.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Jamaican-born designer Rachel Scott is using her fashion brand Diotima as a platform to express political views, particularly around the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). CNN's Rachel Tashjian reports from New York Fashion Week, where Scott showcased her latest collection.

Why it matters

Fashion has long been a medium for political and social commentary, and Scott's use of her brand to call out ICE's policies and actions reflects a growing trend of designers leveraging their platforms to address important issues.

The details

During her New York Fashion Week show, Scott incorporated elements into her Diotima collection that were intended to draw attention to ICE's controversial practices, such as the detention of immigrants. The designer hopes to use her brand's visibility to shine a light on these issues and spark further dialogue.

  • The Diotima fashion show took place during New York Fashion Week in February 2026.

The players

Rachel Scott

A Jamaican-born designer who founded the fashion brand Diotima and is using it as a platform to express political views, particularly around the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Rachel Tashjian

A CNN reporter who covered the Diotima fashion show and Scott's use of the platform to call out ICE.

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What they’re saying

“I'm using my brand as a way to express my political views and call attention to the injustices happening under ICE's watch.”

— Rachel Scott, Designer, Diotima (CNN)

The takeaway

Scott's use of her fashion brand to make a political statement reflects a growing trend of designers leveraging their platforms to address important social and political issues. As fashion continues to intersect with activism, we can expect to see more designers following in Scott's footsteps to raise awareness and spark dialogue around critical topics.