The fashion world, like many industries and corporations, is experiencing a reckoning on race. In May 2020, after the death of George Floyd, activists filled into the streets with demands for racial justice and police reform. That multiethnic momentum grew into a call for equity in every corner of the nation, from politics to fashion.
With Anna Wintour; the editor in chief of Vogue receiving criticism for not being racially inclusive on her pages and with her staff. To luxury brands, Gucci and Prada drawing backlash for producing racially insensitive products that evoked blackface. In this episode of Code Switch: A New Look for the Fashion Industry, we look into the cross between fashion and race. We ask what initiatives have been placed to diversify fashion, from the runway to the editorials in fashion magazines. This aim for diversity in the fashion industry is one that will require a great length of learning and recognizing a level of intentionality.
After listening to this podcast, consider the following:
- How will we know when the fashion industry succeeded?
- What culture shift will diversifying fashion bring?
- How does the intersection of fashion and race connect?
- How does fashion connect with Black History Month, and how can it help us celebrate Black excellence?