Diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry is not just a trendy catchphrase; it’s a necessary shift in the right direction, supporting the mental well-being of consumers and creating a more equitable industry. The push for greater diversity reflects the prevailing cultural and political mood, and as the fashion industry continues to evolve, it is essential to focus on areas like hiring and recruitment and holding brands accountable.
The FASHION REVOLUTION event serves as a powerful reminder that inclusivity in fashion is not just a trend but a necessary evolution toward a more diverse industry. Industry leaders are working on ways to make fashion more diverse by focusing on areas like hiring and recruitment and holding brands accountable. However, the conversation needs to be reframed for 2024, to focus more on a more inclusive, equitable, and inclusive fashion industry.
Fashion has long had a problem with inclusivity, with models of color still representing a small percentage of the industry. Despite the Black squares filtering down Instagram feeds and Fashion Week juggernaut underway, fashion insiders discuss whether they’ve noticed more inclusion of Black talent across the industry.
Diversity in fashion is more than just a trend; it’s an imperative shift shaping the industry’s future. Fashion businesses that value diversity are not just creating trends; by valuing the diversity of people, they are also influencing the future of the industry. Embracing diversity is fast becoming a non-negotiable in the fashion industry, and Mintel’s research in 2022 revealed that 41 of Gen Zers favor brands that value diversity.
In conclusion, diversity should not be a fashion trend; the fashion industry needs to be diverse in many ways. The increasing demand for greater representation on the catwalk and in fashion campaigns has made modeling a much more realistic dream for girls in African countries.
📹 Why Diversity In The Fashion Industry Is Important
Diversity in fashion is necessary to move the fashion industry forward and to continue innovating. What do you think?
What is lacking in the fashion industry?
Inclusivity and diversity are crucial values for consumers, particularly younger generations. The fashion industry has faced criticism for its lack of representation, but recent efforts have seen brands like Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty by Rihanna set new standards. To foster inclusivity, brands should expand size ranges, create gender-neutral collections, and feature models of different ethnicities, ages, and body types in their marketing campaigns.
Internally, brands should promote diversity in hiring and leadership positions. The rise in e-commerce has led to higher return rates, often due to fit issues. Implementing advanced fit technology and virtual try-on tools can help reduce returns by providing accurate sizing information and personalized recommendations. AI can also analyze return patterns and improve product descriptions to enhance the online shopping experience and reduce return rates.
Is diversity and inclusion a trend?
As 2024 approaches, the diversity and inclusion landscape is rapidly evolving due to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), implementation of diversity quotas, a global inclusivity approach, and a focus on measurable results. AI is emerging in diversity programs, transforming these areas by recruiting algorithms without biases and analyzing significant amounts of data to help organizations understand their diverse makeup.
Acceptance of quotas for better diversity requires organizations to set up provisions regarding diversity representation across all levels, ensuring different perspectives from varying backgrounds when making decisions about employees or business partners. Critics may oppose this, but many believe it is necessary for achieving a truly diverse workforce.
What is considered a fashion trend?
A trend is a group of products or style that becomes fashionable over time and influences customers, brands, and products. Social features, including communication and absorbing others’ looks, contribute to the development of trends. Trends are evolving ways of dressing, styling, or behaving that become visible and popular during a specific timeframe. Fashion is highly visible, from designers’ ideas to catwalks and in-store sales, showcasing the power of trends within the industry.
Understanding client desires is crucial for trend forecasting, while in practice, it is essential to understand where designers and influencers get their inspiration and how it is translated into products. This knowledge can help designers understand their competitors and adapt their strategies accordingly.
Why do we need diversity in fashion?
The fashion industry is increasingly recognizing the importance of diversity, with 41 of Gen Zers favoring brands that represent their identity. Historically, fashion brands have displayed their creations on predominantly young, white models conforming to strict body measurements. However, in response to feedback and evolving societal norms, numerous brands are recognizing the need for a sweeping transformation. SKIMS, founded in 2019, aims to provide solutions for everybody, offering shapewear that fits all body types and is available to all skin tones.
In May 2022, they released an accessible range designed for convenience and mobility. The UK 2022 Inclusivity and Diversity in Fashion study found that fashion should normalize all body types, including those with disabilities. Over half of UK shoppers acknowledged this fact. Zalando, a German fashion and beauty retailer, has an impressive accessible range that should act as a model for other brands, including sensory-friendly fabrics, fits for comfortable wheelchair use, and shoes designed for prostheses.
What is the current trend in fashion industry?
The fashion industry is undergoing a significant transformation as brands utilize advanced technologies to provide a unique, interactive shopping experience. The 2024 fashion trends are expected to focus on bold and bright colors, such as fuchsia, yellow, and emerald green, as well as monochromatic outfits in a single statement-making color. These colors not only serve aesthetic purposes but also convey emotions and moods, making them a popular choice for fashion-forward consumers.
What is trending now in fashion?
Fall 2024 fashion trends are a reset for wardrobes, with boho, heritage-inspired style, plaid coats, and sharp blazers being key trends. All-jeans outfits have been seen at New York Fashion Week. Tall, structured boots were shown at Prada, Bally, and Gucci, while minimalist ballet flats and classic T-bar shoes from Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo, and Tory Burch are also gaining popularity. Burgundy accessories have been seen on numerous runways, while studded pieces and neckties have taken over street style.
Butter yellow is expected to be a popular choice, with everyone from Hermès to Sandy Liang showing the unexpected neutral. These trends are fresh from autumn’s best catwalks and are expected to be worn this season and beyond.
What is an example of diversity in fashion?
The concept of diversity in fashion encompasses a multitude of elements, including the inclusion of gender-neutral garments, the representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) models, and the availability of clothing that is suitable for individuals with disabilities. Nevertheless, the discourse would benefit from a more intersectional approach. Consumers can facilitate this process by recognizing the importance of diversity, suggesting improvements, and taking action to accelerate these changes in the ethical sector.
What are cultural diversity trends and examples?
Cultural differences, including those related to race, ethnicity, and disability, have the potential to negatively impact workplace performance. When employees demonstrate a lack of respect for other cultures, it can have a detrimental effect on the overall performance of the team.
When did fashion become more diverse?
The rise of social media in the 2010s sparked the modern era of plus-size fashion, transforming the discourse around fashion and style. Influencers like Chastity Garner, Nicolette Mason, and Gabi Gregg played pivotal roles in pioneering conversations about style in larger sizes. Their bold voices ushered in a new era of body positivity, challenging societal norms and unrealistic body standards while encouraging consumers to accept their own bodies.
The Fatkini movement, started by Gabbi Fresh in 2012, and the CURVYcon in 2015, known as the “Superbowl” of plus-size fashion, were incredibly effective in leveraging new media to galvanize millions of consumers around their cause. By the second half of the decade, the body positivity conversation had successfully moved from the sidelines of the internet into the mainstream, with Ashley Graham on the cover of Sports Illustrated and Curve models walking the runways at New York Fashion Week. More women opted into the conversation, and deeply entrenched norms around body shaming went from being a mainstay of the zeitgeist to becoming increasingly unpopular.
Is diversity a new concept?
Diversity in workplaces has been present for generations, with examples like Alfred Sloan’s proposal to postpone further discussion of a decision due to complete unison. Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon. com, prefers open disagreement in meetings and a leadership principle that encourages leaders to respectfully challenge decisions when they disagree. Both companies have successfully navigated the challenges of social cohesion and the importance of having backbone and having the courage to disagree. The success of these companies can be attributed to their ability to foster growth and adapt to change.
What is the current state of diversity in the fashion industry?
The inaugural Fashion Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) report reveals that only 9 out of 11 power roles are held by people of colour, while 39 of executive teams and 24 power posts are occupied by women. A diverse workforce improves decision-making up to 87 percent, which in turn feeds into the bottom line. Diverse businesses are more likely to outperform financially, and improving DEI is important for companies looking to attract talent.
A perceived lack of inclusion has led to 39 of global job seekers turning down or not pursuing jobs. Consumers are increasingly choosing brands that reflect their values, with about 50 millennials stating it is important to choose brands with gender equity stances.
📹 Models Say Fashion Industry Working Harder On Diversity
This year, a major runway show is showcasing the new faces of fashion. CBS2’s Natalie Duddridge reports.
That paradox of “everything has been done” is so eurocentric. what they mean when saying it is that western culture has been well explored in fashion but so many non-euro designers are innovating. China and Korea are brilliant examples of fashion design that is pushing the envelope. The lens needs to move away from the west. Down with the circle jerkers lool
I think, and because I am a Nigerian studying in LCF, you hit the nail on the head here. I recently told my tutors that one of the reasons students of ethnic backgrounds seem to simply regurgitate Eurocentric values/ideals of taste is that fundamentally, there is no diversity in the way we are being taught. From artistic references to contextual studies, because out tutors were themselves raised with an Eurocentric standard, it is hard for them to understand aesthetics that challenge those which they are familiar with. Designers draw a lot from their cultural heritage, some from family others from social class heritage, but it impacts how we see the world. The way forward is by creating and promoting more than one standard/ideal of taste which will be quite hard but certainly not impossible, because the entirety of the fashion industry simply promulgates Eurocentric norms. I am looking forward to having a voice like yours in the industry!
This is not a dig at you because you’ve introduced me to a lot of non white designers. This is actually a general question: why can’t poc who are fashion enthusiasts, be they stylists, writers, photographers, designers and etc. build platforms of their (I say ‘their’ because I’m not a part of the fashion bubble) own away separate from the European industry? Am I naive, or aren’t we in the day and age, where that is possible? Why do people act as if the Europeans and their industry, have to be the gatekeepers and the pinnacle of creativity, beauty and art, when so much of that exists everywhere outside of them? As for elitism and nepotism, that will never change imo. They will always prioritise European ideals and beauty over anything else, even if they have to take from a non white/Euro source and condense into something worth profiting from. That is what their concept of fashion and beauty was built off on after all, and that’s okay with me. Granted, there are some European designers and artists I adore and who I love to learn about, but there is so much delightful richness and beauty in in fashion from the perspectives of people of colour, and it’s a shame that for the most part, it takes some sort of certified stamp of approval from the European fashion world to see that. It’s mentality I’ve been trying to unload, myself.
I agree with this so much. I study fashion journalism at Lcf and we do focus on Eurocentric ideas must of the time. And our lectures are mostly white British. Therefore my perspective is tarnished by their point of view. There is also a massive emphasis on ‘ who you know and not what you know’ and networking. Which to some extent I agree with but again the students from wealthier backgrounds and money are bound to be able to get better contacts and connections, therefore its a classist approach to be working at.
For me, Im from Hong Kong where the fashion scene basically inexist, only a selective group of people try to make things better and receive a lot of criticism, and thats why Im going to London to study fashion as I dont see a bright future here. With that said, I dont feel protected in the UK neither. This industry is not friendly to new comers or foreigners. Employers usually prioritize local which makes me feel like Im just the same person in Hong Kong with an extremely expensive graduate certificate. Im starting to think whether I will be wasting my money for nothing.🤦🏻♂️
Thanks for this article! So glad you are introducing designers from different cultures. I’m curious about how you learn about these designers? How you find information on fashion, artists and creators from your own country or any non-europeans/non-american ones? Are they featured on established magazines or do you have any recommendations on other publications that bring light specifically to diverse designers and innovation? (Not just magazines, any other platforms too) Thanks for your articles!
As a Peruvian I’ve always wished there was more Hispanic representation in fashion. Haider would be the closest latino designer at the forefront of fashion but he was only Colombian born and was adopted by a French couple, so he doesn’t know the language (he mentioned he didn’t in an interview in 2011)
Sorry I was late on perusal the article, been busy with Uni projects lately. For my overall thoughts, I definitely agree with the elitism point, that fashion tend to have this mentality that designers have to be of a certsin background to be great. Though the situation is improving, it was certainly a problem when McQueen came about. And to add, fashion houses must concern with diversity as well by hiring people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, etc. with merits in mind in order to understand the different perspectives and nuances differing cultures can bring. Being something, let’s say, European based, doesn’t mean you cannot be diversed. Just my two cents.
I’m from India. In my country, design is not about artistic expression, it is stuck in the phase of wearable clothing that needs to look pretty. Or only ocassion wear that people would want to spend big bucks on. It has also to do with the fact that it is a developing country and only a consistently growing economy. It is over and over reiterated in school to make clothes that makes sense, that people wear. Not to go overboard with expression. We also have a rich traditional textile industry for the growth of which designers are responsible. Now, if i want to study more about artistic expression of clothing or advanced pattern making, about more abstarct design processes, I would want to go to a design school in the west. However, then I am bombarded with the history and culture of the west which is something completely new and unrelatable. That’s how it is.
Great, thought-provoking article as always, I’ve never thought about your point on the skin tones of models, but it makes perfect sense! I think encouraging diversity in fashion is also important because it allows for those within the fashion industry from non-Western cultures to serve as role models. As an Asian, I think that having a career in the fashion industry has always been looked down upon. Even here in Singapore, which is becoming more accepting of those interested in the arts, my friends still look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them that I’d like to do anything remotely related to the fashion industry as a career. A lot of people think that those who try to pursue these careers are doomed to fail or be broke, or that the only reason why they chose to pursue a career in fashion is that they aren’t intelligent enough for more “traditional” careers. Therefore, I think that such role models are really important, because they can really show young talent that the naysayers are wrong. They can show them that it IS possible to succeed, even if the “fashion infrastructure” in these cultures is not as well established as in the Western world.
I think you bring up a lot of very good points– but I think even in Europe itself, people tend to ignore the entire eastern block and only consider Russia. Which is a pity, there is a lot of potential in the east too, but it all tends to be either dismissed or clumped into a single entity, as if the USSR still existed. This also might be a political issue, but overall as you mentioned in the article, even among white europeans there can be a big difference in culture and family values. I’m only 22, but as a Bulgarian immigrant in western Europe I noticed that my views are vastly different compared to those of my western peers. I find myself in a situation where I can’t completely relate to europeans from wealthier nations, but I also can’t relate to the few but extremely wealthy fashionistas from the ex USSR-Jugoslavia-Socialist countries… which seem to be the only ones who are given a voice, even though only a tiny fraction of our populations can even afford designer to begin with
Fashion journalism is becoming more and more irrevelant in a time where fashion publication of all sort has become so readily available. Irrespective though, fashion design can be as artistic and creative as it wants to be but is still irrelevant when no one buys it. The reason why fashion is western centric is because that’s where most of the money was originally spent, until recently.
Rightly have you spoken about diversity in thought being crucial. Even though I was born and raised in the South Bronx, I do not fit in the typical mold (and I think pondering on that may have given me a few ideas.) As for cultural references, while I do not label myself a fashion designer (I think of someone sketching and creating fabric prints,) the idea of using the coqui petroglyph on an ascot was a big idea that while wasn’t a big money maker on my shop, is something I am proud of. The coqui is a frog indigenous to Puerto Rico, known for it’s sound at night. The Tainos viewed them in high regard by carving their image onto rocks (the petroglyph,) and being part of their mythology. As to Western fashion being stale, Kevin Max said it once in a book as to how that music labels would prefer signing several artists who look and sound alike over one different artist to avoid risk. Or as he eloquently put it in a poem “I face the microphone and fumble in my pockets for a change; a break from the deranged world of . . . plotting out the death of art.”
I get what your saying with innovation in fashion, but there are just some many layers to fashion that it’s sometimes not in a brands best intrest to innovate for whatever reason. For example Yohji collections and shows as of recent are more subdued, nostolgic and reminicent, enjoying life in every second instead of always having the new. But I do agree with pretty much everying you are saying, I think there is a space for innovation in fashion and I think you’d appreciate more contemporary brands and publications with diversity already in them. If you havn’t heard of Not Just A Label I think you’d like their focus on contemporary brands.
Broadly speaking I agree with all your points, except for Europe not having any innovative designers as it ignores people like Kiko, JW Anderson, Craig Green, Iris van Herpen, Raf etc, or innovation doesn’t have to be so pronounced/showy but can be rooted in european traditions of restrained refinement in design and expression as shown by designers like Namacheko, Ann D etc
You probably won’t see this but this summer i worked for a fashion journalist. She’s a black women from Belgium who runs a fashion blog and has one of the best fashion podcasts out. Her name is Dominique Nzeyimana and het podcast is called The most she has an amazing almost 2 hour long episode with walter van beirendonck that i think you would love
Great article🙌🏾, nailed it, however on the flip side, as a design student myself and black one at that I kind of understand why we use skinny models because it’s like a blank canvas, if you use someone curvy it can, take the attention away from the garment itself because it can easily become too sexy (sexualised), what do you think ?…