Hamnett, now in her seventies, was one of the first to turn a simple cotton tee into a statement piece. Her iconic “58 % DON’T WANT PERSHING” design, worn during a meeting with then‑Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, is an early example of fashion as protest — a model of how clothing can amplify political messages without saying a word. Yet she’s honest about the limits of symbolic fashion: “T‑shirts and marches don’t change anything if they are not followed by political engagement,” she says, emphasizing that real influence comes when people use their voices and votes to hold leaders accountable.

For models and creatives alike, Hamnett’s work highlights the importance of depth behind the image. Her modeling of activism started with garments but expanded into a lifelong commitment to sustainability and ethical production. After commissioning research on the fashion industry’s environmental impacts, she switched to organic cotton long before it became mainstream, reshaping not just her own brand but challenging the broader fashion community to evolve.

In today’s culture, where model agencies and fashion brands often emphasize visibility and trend, Hamnett’s legacy urges a broader view of influence. Her enduring slogan T‑shirts, like the “Choose Love” tee that has raised significant funds for refugees, show how models — of ideas, engagement, and ethics — can intersect with business and activism to make tangible impact.

Modeling change, she suggests, is not about a single statement piece but about sustained action. From engaging young voters with QR‑coded “Vote” shirts to advocating for fair wages and environmental legislation, Hamnett’s work exemplifies how fashion, politics, and social movements can interact. This evolution is a model for how model agencies and the people they represent can embrace purpose alongside aesthetics — proving that style paired with substance can still move hearts, minds, and systems.