Introduction
Fashion has been accused of being selective and discriminative in how it portrays beauty and has been known to promote the unrealistic and unattainable thin look that does not depict the true representation of human beings. The absence of such roles has had a great effect, and it continues to influence negative norms in society including body image issues, low self-esteem, and feelings of being outcasts among individuals who do not meet the set standards.
Though, in the recent past there has been a shift in the fashion industry with designers and fashion houses striving to change these conventions. As consumers, activists, and the business community continue to push for representation and inclusion in the fashion industry, brands and the industry at large are struggling to meet the new demands of the market that require them to embrace and promote diversity in terms of race, gender, and body type.
The Historical Context: It is important to discuss how fashion excludes certain people from its sphere of influence.
To properly grasp the importance of the recent focus on diversity and inclusion in fashion, one must also address the industry’s past and present practices that have excluded and perpetuated unrealistic standards of beauty.
- The Dominance of the “Thin Ideal”
The fashion industry has been accused of perpetuating the thin ideal body image for a very long time now; this refers to a very tall, young, and thin female body image that has dominated fashion magazine ads, editorials, and fashion shows. This has resulted in alienation and low self-esteem among those who do not fit the above description of the attractive woman or man, as they have been left out of mainstream media.
- Lack of Racial and Ethnic Diversity
Besides the representation of the thin body, the fashion industry has also been accused of the lack of racial and ethnic diversity. In the past, fashion campaigns, magazine spreads, and fashion shows have been predominantly white and have thus reinforced the stereotype that only white skin is beautiful and everyone else is inferior to their standards.
- LGBTQIA+ Identity Representation
LGBTQIA+ communities have also not been well represented in the fashion industry, and the industry has been seen to be discriminative against them. This is because for many years, the industry has failed to represent or misrepresent the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community. This has also been attributed to the invisibility of the queer community within the fashion industry hence their marginalization.
- Disability and Accessibility Challenges
Moreover, the fashion industry has always failed to consider disabled people’s needs and their perception of fashion. This has seen the industry provide substandard products in terms of design and location, poor accessibility in shops, and a complete absence of adaptive clothing to cater to this group of people thus continuing to marginalize persons with different abilities.
The Significance of Representation in Fashion
It is not just about the beauty or the color of models – it is about society and its impact on the human mind. When people can relate to what they see on the screen or read in the media, or when they can identify with the products they buy, it communicates a positive message about their worth. On the other hand, if some groups are omitted from media representation or portrayed in a specific manner that is limiting and stereotyped, it can lead to feelings of exclusion, decreased self-worth, and self-enculturation.
This is especially so for the minorities including the black, the disabled, and those who do not meet the conventional fashion magazine’s beauty benchmarks. When it comes to body types, skin color, and gender, the fashion industry can help change these destructive prejudices and give people confidence in themselves.
The Rise of Body Positivity in Fashion
Perhaps the most popular of all the movements that have made the fashion industry more diverse and inclusive is the body positivity movement. This movement that originated in the 1960s and 1970s encourages people to embrace and appreciate their bodies irrespective of their size or physical abilities.
This particular movement has been on the rise in the recent past and has especially been embraced in the fashion industry with more fashion brands and designers accepting and encouraging the variation in body shapes. Fashion has also undergone significant changes through the years from the plus-size models on the catwalk to the emergence of plus-size clothing and clothing lines.
This shift has been immensely beneficial because it has affected the way people, including those who are usually not represented by the fashion industry, perceive themselves and their bodies. In other words, when people can identify with the body types portrayed in the fashion world, they have the opportunity to reject the stereotyped ideas of beauty that have been promoted by the fashion industry for so long.
The Challenges of Implementing Diversity and Inclusion in Fashion
However, there is still a long way to go to break down barriers of racism and elitism in the fashion industry and fully embrace plus-size models. Another major challenge is that prejudice and stereotypes have always been a part of the insurance industry’s culture.
It seems that most fashion companies and designers have not yet been able to break free from the stereotyped beauty paradigms that have been imposed in the fashion world for years, and there is always opposition to change from within and from consumers who have been indoctrinated.
In the same way, the fashion industry is a competitive and rapidly evolving sector, so it is challenging for brands to be innovative and test new ways of addressing diversity and inclusion. The need to cut costs and remain relevant in the market supersedes the need to encourage the inclusion of more diverse groups.
Nevertheless, there are many fashion brands and designers who have been embracing the change and bringing more diverse models to the fashion industry. These brands have incorporated the implementation of different measures such as the use of models of different sizes and colors, casting directors that are inclusive of diverse models, and the inclusion of plus size models and clothes.
The Impact of Social Media and the Digital Age
In the period of social networks and the development of the Internet, the fashion industry has experienced changes in the question of diversity. Instagram, twitter, and TikTok in particular have given voice and agency to marginalized groups and enabled them to speak out and advocate for better representation and inclusion in fashion.
Hashtags such as #PlusIsEqual and #DisabledAndCute have enabled people to express themselves and highlight the fashion industry’s shortcomings in the diversity and inclusion sphere. This has placed a lot of pressure on brands and designers to address such demands and to act in a way that will help reduce this problem.
Also, the emergence of new social media platforms means that fashion influencers and content creators of the new generation are emerging to compete with the old industry giants. These people, most of whom are from restricted backgrounds, have managed to gather considerable followers and influence people towards a different perspective of fashion that is more inclusive.
Challenging Traditional Beauty Standards
Apart from the issue of diversity, the fashion industry has also been involved in the fight against the tyranny of size zero and the celebration of curves. This has been demonstrated in various ways such as the emergence of what is referred to as ‘plus size fashion’ or ‘body positive’ fashion brands that are inclusive of larger women’s sizes, and the use of unaltered images in media and advertisements.
One of the most recognizable trends that has recently emerged is the development of “plus-size” fashion. Larger body types are now being accepted by brands and designers and the plus-size fashion industry has grown to provide fashionable and quality clothes for all types of customers. This has not only questioned the stereotypical ideas of fashion being reserved for slender bodies but has also made people feel at ease with themselves.
Furthermore, the fashion industry has also started to lessen the portrayal of thin and airbrushed images in their sales promotion. Since brands are using models of different sizes and shapes, and not retouching the images, the message is clear and positive about the value of every body shape. It has received positive reception from consumers and has contributed greatly towards the promotion of body diversity within the fashion sector.
The Path Forward
However, there is hope in the following areas. The fashion industry has shown that it is capable of change and many good signs, ideas, and movements indicate that the fashion industry is ready and keen to support diversity, inclusion, and body positivity.
Another important direction to pay attention to is the growth of diverse presence in all levels of the fashion business, including modeling and executive positions. This means not only diversifying the models and clients, that is the people of different body types, skin color, and gender, in the marketing and advertising campaigns but also diversifying the boards and committees that make the decisions about the industry.
Also, it is for the fashion industry to keep on pushing for change in the conventional, restrictive, and Eurocentric standards of beauty. This could mean the development of more plus-size clothing, no-airbrushed images, body-acceptance campaigns, and body-positive heroes.
Moreover, the fashion industry should also consider how it can make a more profound commitment to social justice and help community organizations and activists. This could include partnerships, sponsorship, or fashion as advocacy by using the clothes to create awareness and make a difference.
Last but not least; the industry should also focus on a sustainable and ethical production process which in a way will ensure that the negative impacts of fashion are eliminated and the positive effects are distributed among the stakeholders.
The Role of Activism and Advocacy in Driving Change
While social networking sites and the use of the internet have increased, so has the demand for change and activism in the fashion industry. The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) as well as the Fashion Innovation Alliance have been trying to advocate for change and increase diversity in the fashion industry, for example by launching calls for the creation of inclusive size charts and programs for the support of young designers from the communities that have been marginalized.
On the other hand, local activist movements and community-based organizations have been actively demanding change within the fashion industry and have been equally vital in the cause. These groups have come out in the public and held demonstrations, and boycotts, and use social media platforms to draw the attention of the public to the industry’s shortcomings and to seek action.
The effects of this activism and advocacy have been apparent, as more and more fashion brands and designers have commenced to address these calls and act to increase the representation of minorities. From the introduction of the concept of inclusive sizes and designs for clothes to the representation of a wider variety of models on the catwalks, the fashion industry is gradually changing its position regarding these important questions.
The Future of Fashion: Towards a More Diverse and Inclusive Industry
As the future of the fashion industry remains uncertain, one can conclude that the fight for diversity, inclusion, and body positivity will remain the priority. This will mean a radical change in the paradigm of representation in the industry, and the readiness to confront one’s own prejudice and prejudice of the industry, which has been ingrained in the system for a long time.
There is no doubt that the fashion industry has a significant role to play in driving this change and one of the ways is by investing in the development of new and diverse talent and mentorships. This could entail engaging with community-based organizations and academic institutions to help search for and develop young talents from marginalized backgrounds, and then assist them in achieving their potential in this sector.
Furthermore, there will be a necessity for the fashion industry to adapt to new technologies and new media to expand the coverage and appeal to a broader and more diverse audience. This could include the creation of virtual fashion shows, and digital clothing lines that are inclusive of people of different body shapes and sizes, genders, and orientations, and the leveraging of social media and other digital platforms to share the experiences of marginalized groups.
In conclusion, the future of fashion will be shaped by diversity and inclusion as well as the celebration of body positivity. In this way, the industry has the possibility not only to change its practices and goods but also to become one of the most important agents of social change that would put pressure on the society that has been oppressive towards some groups for centuries.
Some examples of fashion brands that have successfully incorporated inclusive sizing and representation:
1. Aerie (American Eagle): Aerie has been commended for its #AerieREAL campaign that uses models of different sizes, ages, and ethnicities without any touch-ups. They have a good variety of bra and apparel sizes, and even their Offline activewear range comes in 4X.
2. Fabletics: This athleisure brand co-founded by Kate Hudson has sizes XXS to 4X across all their apparel lines. They incorporate models of different sizes and shapes in their advertising to depict the different customers they serve.
3. Universal Standard: This brand targets plus-size women and it provides core necessities and seasonal clothing ranging from size 00 to size 40. They intentionally use models of all sizes in their campaigns on purpose.
4. Savage X Fenty (Rihanna’s lingerie line): Rihanna’s brand for the fashion show has been inclusive of different models, sizes, colors, and genders.
5. Girlfriend Collective: This is a brand of activewear that offers apparel for all sizes up to 6X. They have been more diverse and inclusive with the models and body types that are portrayed in their advertisements.
6. Eloquii: Originally a plus-size women’s clothing brand, Eloquii is a relatively new fashion company that sells clothes up to size 28. They work with models that are of their actual size range and not sample sizes.
These are just a few examples but the point is that all of them have a real interest in making the world inclusive for all people and it is not just a banal declaration. Inclusive branding is when the concept of diversity is placed at the heart of the brand, including the creative process and the advertising campaign.
Conclusion
Altogether, the fashion industry’s impact on diversity, inclusion, and body positivity is a rather ambiguous and intricate question. Nevertheless, the progress that has been made in recent years is quite notable, but the industry is still far from being fully diverse.
However, activism, advocacy, and digital innovation, as a trend, can and do offer a possibility of positive change and development. With a shift in fashion’s perspective, the fashion industry can not only change the fashion world for the better but also change the world for the better by breaking free from the prejudices and discriminations that have been ingrained in society.
