The #UseYourVote campaign was the highlight of Milan Fashion Week

Last Friday, Corso Magenta saw a sea of young people gathering around the temporary nss kiosk, open from February 16th to 25th with the support of Quotidiana, a network of newsstands from the MilanoCard Group, and the artistic association Zona Blu. The opening, coinciding with the launch of Digital Vover and the merch "Ti Odio Milano Ti Amo", saw nss joining forces with God Will Save Us, who took care of the DJ set, and with the craft beer brand Brewdog, which provided drinks for the evening. Born with the aim of bringing communities together and starting conversations even among the youngest nss fans, the kiosk was also a hub for spreading the #UseYourVote campaign promoted by the European Parliament to raise awareness among new generations about voting in the upcoming European elections scheduled between June 6th and 9th, 2024. During those days, millions of Europeans will have the opportunity to shape the future of European democracy with their vote, collectively deciding on the future of the Union. Given the growing disillusionment with politics among young people, the worrying advance of authoritarianism, and the very threats to democracy today, voting is crucial at every level, local, national, and European, as it provides a platform to express opinions on issues that influence everyone's daily life.

In the upcoming European elections, indeed, all EU citizens will have the opportunity to influence the election of members of the European Parliament who represent them in legislative and decision-making processes. These elected representatives play a fundamental role in determining laws and policies addressing various issues, including environment, security, migration, social policies, consumer rights, economy, and the rule of law. But, one might object, what does Milan's fashion have to do with all this? Today more than ever, fashion has transcended the boundaries of its own industry and become a platform for personal expression and cultural celebration. Milan Fashion Week is not just a showcase of luxury, but the culmination of an entire culture that animates the city and its young people who recognize themselves in fashion and participate with an enthusiasm that, it must be said, has been lost from a purely civic point of view - a loss evidenced precisely by the low turnout of young people at the polls, undoubtedly caused by the many shortcomings of a politics incapable of concretely improving the lives of citizens, of addressing contemporary issues without rhetoric and with playfulness, and above all of presenting itself with the dignity, composure, and preparation it deserves.

All challenges for which, however, responsibility also falls on an electorate that is increasingly uncritical and more like fans. That ardor for seeking change today seems reflected in the broader fashion community - and that is precisely why awareness efforts can and must also start from here. The nss pop-up kiosk embraced the #UseYourVote message, recognizing in fashion not only a vehicle for messages but also a unique aggregator for Milan's young community and an agent of transformative power for everyone's consciousness: fashion loves to dream and make others dream, but at some point, you have to open your eyes and return to the real world - and that world could be better if everyone, young and old, make their voices heard.