Sam Cotton, 29, Stratford Upon Avon. Agi Mdumulla, 30, Yorkshire.
What do you do? Fashion Designers.
Why is it important that people register to vote? Sam: We were given the privilege to make an impact on the decisions our country makes together, make your vote count.
Agi: It’s affecting you and your life. Do something about it — don’t let other people decide for you.
Why are you Vote Remain? Sam: I believe the world works strongest as a unit. The world has never been more unified, and London is a perfect example of this — the whole nation has grown and benefits from its multiculturalism.
Agi: We are stronger together. The world is a better place when we help each other out. We should continue to work with and help our neighbors.
What’s the best thing about Britain being in the EU Sam: The EU is the closest thing to bringing global unity in the world. By its very nature it symbolizes peace and democracy.
Agi: As a creative, the UK is helped massively by the EU and we owe a massive amount of funding to that. We might not be here without it.
If you were a politician, what would you do differently? Agi: I’d stop talking bollocks and address real issues. It feels like there’s such a separation between politicians and real life. They should find a way to integrate and understand.
Sam: A lot of the funding that labor had placed into the arts funding has been removed, which is so sad. Working within this industry I would definitely install this back in and work hard on creating more artist hubs.
Can fashion be political? Agi: Fashion can easily be political, but people should try and do it in a clever way. Ironically, it can be more than just a slogan t-shirt (sorry).
Sam: Fashion has always gone hand in hand with political statement and it should be allowed to.
@agiandsam
Sid Bryan, 42, Yorkshire. Cozette McCreery, 48, London.
What do you do? SIBLING.
Why is it important that people register to vote? You have a voice so use it. People have fought for this freedom. It is a privilege many others don’t have.
Why are you Vote Remain? SIBLING is intrinsically about being part of a family, team, gang, squad. Being inclusive is important to us and so we regard ourselves as being part of Europe, part of something bigger than ourselves. We’re not big on them vs us; let’s just be us.
What would you say to those who want to leave the EU? Well, it’s their opinion but we feel strongly that we can only benefit from being united.
What’s the best thing about Britain being in the EU? That it gives Britain a voice.
And the worst? Are there any changes you’d like to see? Can only think of worst should we leave, and we are not politicians so excuse us if we are incorrect, but it reads that we will still be ‘run’ by Europe but won’t have an open discussion or given the right to voice an opinion. It would like being gagged. Other than that we can only see the good of being part of the EU.
If you were a politician, what would you do differently? We’d not have this important decision open to a public vote. Very few of us are economists or politicians. Most of us read media and panic about things that scare us: housing prices, food prices, immigrants. With this in mind how can we be unbiased? How are we, the public expected to make a decision when it’s so personal and emotive?
Can/should fashion be political? Oh yes it can be, but it’s not part of SIBLING’s ethos. Unless there truly is The Politics of Dancing?
@SIBLINGLONDON
Raimund Berthold, 43, Austria
What do you do? I’m a menswear designer.
Why is it important that people register to vote? It is our right and our privilege, so don’t fuck it up.
Why are you Vote Remain? It would be insane for Britain to leave the EU for many reasons. Speaking professionally, as a designer with an independently owned label, I, like all of us, import and export to Europe throughout the year. At present it is so much easier to do this compared to how we have to work with the rest of the world. Also as someone who shows in London and sells in Paris, I worry about how any change to our position within the EU would affect travel for the industry.
What do you say to those who want to leave the EU? It’s perhaps natural that we are not afraid of change but we shouldn’t get swept up with the excitement of it. Or — as the media tells us — this “threat” of mass immigration.
What’s the best thing about being in the EU? Europe is stronger when we are all together. It is bigger, bolder and much more exciting. The open trade, free movement — the chance to work and study in a different country without the hassle of visas or permits and endless streams of paperwork.
And the Worst? Are there any changes you’d like to see? I don’t like the bureaucracy that seeps out of Brussels and its sluggish system where decisions take too long to be made.
If you were a politician, what would you do differently? Stop slinging mud at each other and just stick to facts. Everyone is so desperate to please us that they have lost sight of the bigger picture.
Can/should fashion be political? Everyone has a voice and a medium so yes, but it’s not my prerogative. I don’t use fashion to express my political views, but it can be exciting when someone does.
@berthold_uk
Ashish Gupta
What do you do? I am a fashion designer.
Why is it important that people register to vote? Because being part of a democracy is not a luxury afforded to everyone in the world.
Why are you vote remain? As an immigrant myself, and someone who came to the UK to study, I know how many foreign students there are who rely on this country to continue their education. Plus, as a business owner in this country, I know how much harder it will be to survive if the currency is devalued and free trade with the EU is either limited or abolished.
What do you say to those that want to leave the EU? You can leave, but you don’t have to take the entire country with you.
What’s the best thing about Britain being in the EU? The cultural diversity, the freedom of travel, and the fact that it makes us a lot stronger.
What changes would you like to see? We should be breaking down more borders, not putting new ones up.
If you were a politician, what would you do differently? So many people work so hard for so little, and others work so little for so much. I’d like to change that.
Can/should fashion be political? Absolutely. It’s a form of art and personal expression, there is no reason why it can’t or shouldn’t be political. With my T’aint t-shirts I’ve been talking about sex and censorship. It’s good to design something with a powerful message.
@ashish_uk
Joseph Prince, 27, Nottingham.William King, 32, Jersey
What do you do? Joseph: Creative Director of LAW magazine.
William: Studio Manager LAW.
Why is it important that people register to vote? Joseph: Because your vote makes a difference, don’t let others decide for you.
William: My grandfather served in the second World War and played his part in re-uniting Europe as one. I find leaving the EU not only disrespectful to his generation but also a negative step backwards.
Why are you Vote Remain? Joseph: Together we are stronger, we are not only British, we are European. It has taken decades to establish the strength of the EU; we should be proud to be part of that and remain.
William: If you don’t register you don’t have a say in one of the most important referendums of our time.
What do you say to those who want to leave the EU? Joseph: Think harder.
William: Leaving the EU simply means segregation. The world should be moving forward together.
What’s the best thing about Britain being in the EU? Joseph: Having the right to live and work anywhere in the EU.
William: Not only are we very fortunate to have Europe on our doorstep, we are free to roam and live within it as we please.
If you were a politician, what would you do differently? Joseph: I wouldn’t be a politician, it’s not in my nature to lie.
William: I would put an end to filibustering in the House of Lords. It’s embarrassing watching full grown adults arguing over the top of each other.
Can/should fashion be political? Joseph: It depends who wears it.
@law_magazine
Maria Jonette Madeleine Østile, 31, Norway
Why is it important that people register to vote? Everyone but especially young people. It’s their future. Generations fought for the freedom and liberty of democracy.
Why are you Vote Remain? Because the only campaign for Brexit is fear and money. The propose no real argument.
What would you like to say anyone wanting us to leave the EU? What valid reasoning do you actually have other than bigoted propaganda?
What’s the best thing about Britain being in the EU? The idea of a united Europe, after the best part of 1000 years of wars.
If you were a politician, what would you do differently? Be honest.
Can/should fashion be political? It can.
@maddeostlie
Sebaastian Pieter, 27, Netherlands.
What do you do? Menswear designer.
Why is it important that people register to vote? You have a voice, use it!
Why are you Vote Remain? Because I like living in the UK as an EU citizen.
What would you like to say anyone wanting us to leave the EU? Bye!
What’s the best thing about Britain being in the EU? No borders.
If you were a politician, what would you do differently? More free trade and open borders, we should be free to go where we want.
Can/should fashion be political? Yes, always.
@PIETER_OFFICE
Credits
Photography Anabel Navarro Llorens