Netflix’s recent documentary White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch has put diversity in fashion back into the spotlight. While the brand enjoyed huge success in the 90’s, it’s hiring and marketing arms were focused on building an aspirational ‘All-American’ brand, resulting in discriminatory hiring where staff had to fit a ‘look’ or be forced to work back of house if they didn’t.
Diversity is differences in racial and ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic, and academic/professional backgrounds. People with different opinions, backgrounds (degrees and social experience), religious beliefs, political beliefs, sexual orientations, heritage, and life experience. In US fashion there has been a particular focus on racial diversity, spurred by the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by police.
McKinsey & Company’s report: Diversity in fashion: Voices from the industry covers how there is a significant underrepresentation of diverse fashion talent, starting in fashion schools and continuing throughout fashion leadership, influence and culture. Additionally, McKinsey provided substantive research of over 1,000 employees across 41 companies with 20 stakeholder interviews and focus groups with students and emerging designers. This data fed into: ‘State of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Fashion’, a February 2021 report by PVH Corp. and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). The report made a range of observations:
The Australian fashion industry seems focused on showcasing diversity on its runways and fashion campaigns. The opening night of Australian Fashion Week in 2021 featured stylists and models that reflect a diverse and inclusive culture.
Rounding out the show, one of the stylists - Deni Todorovic waved the rainbow flag in heels, a beard and a skirt. A LGBTIQ+ representative, Todorovic cites the importance of visibility for transgender youths
"In Australia, trans[gender] youth are eleven times more likely to attempt suicide than their cis[gender] mates, and the reason is because they do not see themselves in the world," Todorovic said. "They do not feel valued or appreciated, and so visibility and inclusion literally has the power to save lives."
Keen to understand what’s happening in the local fashion market? Speak to Janine, Amy and Natalie from Permanser Consulting