As creators, fashion designers take an innovative approach to celebrating diversity and inclusivity in their work. From statement pieces that challenge outdated gender norms to accessories that make a conscious effort to be inclusive of all tastes and sizes, fashion designers are constantly pushing the envelope with designs that encompass the idea of inclusivity. This article will explore the growing movement of designing for diversity, and how fashion designers are incorporating more inclusive elements into their work.
1. Defining Inclusivity in Fashion
Inclusivity in fashion has become an integral part of modern society. It is the concept of creating garments, accessories, and other fashion items that are usable and desirable by people of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. It is the idea that fashion should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their “ideal” body type, gender identity, or disability.
A great example of inclusivity in fashion first came about when the accessible fashion movement took off in 2017. This was when more and more designers started including accessible clothes, such as adaptive clothing with accessible features like pockets for IVs, wheelchair-accessible jeans, and zippers that loop around buttons for individuals with dexterity issues. This movement was also supported by various institutions and organizations, such as the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
Since then, inclusivity has been further embraced by mainstream fashion, with more and more designers creating clothing for everyone, regardless of shape and size.
Today, there are accessible options for almost every occasion, with several big retailers offering clothing lines that are inclusive of people in plus, petite, and tall sizes. Moreover, there are also accessory lines for people with disabilities, such as stylish and adjustable cane holders.
Inclusivity in fashion has also extended to the world of cosmetics, with makeup companies such as Fenty Beauty who have released foundations that range from very fair to very deep skin tones.
Creating and promoting accessible clothing is one of the most powerful and important things that mainstream fashion brands and individuals can do to create a more inclusive industry. From larger companies creating lines of clothing catering to different body types and sizes, to smaller designers and individuals creating accessibility accessories, fashion is more than just clothes – it’s a gateway to a more equal and accessible future.
2. Redefining the Image of Beauty
The idea of beauty has been grounded in many centuries of societal standards, but thankfully, those outdated ideas are fading out. People of all shapes, sizes, disability levels, age, sexes, and ethnicities can now be viewed as beautiful.
These days, a ‘beautiful’ person can come in all sorts of forms and not necessarily be considered as a super model. Beauty can be observed in
- A disabled individual with a positive attitude towards life
- An elderly lady with a radiant smile
- A ruggedly handsome construction worker
- Make inclusion a priority at all levels of the company
- Ensure diversity is incorporated into communications
- Bring on more speakers from marginalized backgrounds
- Set clear expectations for management
- Take action when those expectations are not met
- Provide equal opportunities for all employees
- Create an open and safe workspace
- Fashion for Good – a global initiative for positive fashion.
- Sistren Krew – dedicated to empowering women of colour through fashion.
- War Children – focuses on rehabilitation and education of children.
These are just some examples of how beauty isn’t just confined to what the media and society have designated as ‘beautiful’. It is so inspiring to witness how beauty has taken on an entirely new definition now. Open any magazine, watch any fashion show, or browse through a website, and you will find people from all walks of life represented.
What makes it even more interesting is that beauty comes in both a physical and spiritual form. What matters most is the individual’s character, which quite often is portrayed from the inside out. It is this spirit of love, grace, and honest effort which radiate a person, making them beautiful in their own right.
It can often be seen in the way a person takes care of themselves, shows confidence in their ability, and reaches out to those in need. In essence, beauty goes beyond surface appearance and finds its roots in what is real and genuine.
For years, the idea of beauty has been enforced by strict norms, with only limited definitions. Thankfully, society is gradually outgrowing such false ideals and is embracing beauty in its many forms. That would be the true redefinition of what is beautiful.
3. Making Diversity and Representation the Norm
Creating Change
Organizations are in a unique position to make diversity and representation the norm. Unfortunately, a lot of the effort in these areas must come from the top-down.
Leadership is key to the process. Executive and C-suite level employees must lead the charge by implementing inclusive policies, hiring qualified BIPOC employees, and creating equal compensation structures for all staff. In order to ensure equitable conditions for everyone in the workplace, company leadership must have an action plan in place that is explained, implemented, and regularly assessed.
Furthermore, employees should be able to feel safe and comfortable in their professional environment. That means providing the necessary resources for marginalized groups to pursue careers, such as offering conference travel scholarships, creating learning and support groups, and making it easier to join corporate networks.
Diversity in Communication
It’s not just programs and policies that make workplaces more inclusive; it’s how communication is handled. Companies should be mindful of how they discuss diversity and represent the voices of marginalized people in their messaging. They should also be careful not to tokenize any group in their communications, both internally and externally.
Companies should also use their resources to bring on more guest speakers and experts from different backgrounds. Doing so can help to create opportunities for these groups, as well as ensuring that everyone in corporate spaces remains open-minded and broad-minded.
Lastly, clear expectations must be set for management. Companies should expect their leaders to be active allies and hold them accountable when they fail to do so. This means creating a feedback system for employee grievances, enforcing policies surrounding fairness and equity, and rewarding positive behavior.
Moving Forward
To make diversity and representation the norm, organizations must take the following steps:
is a worthwhile goal and it can be achieved through positive policies, open communication, and equitable opportunities. With commitment and collaboration from all levels of the organization, meaningful change can be made.
4. Empowering Communities Through Fashion
Fashion is often thought of as being something superficial. It’s a way to be creative, express yourself and bring joy, but it can have a much deeper purpose. It has the power to empower communities, by helping them build pride and create a sense of identity.
Inclusivity – Fashion has to power to foster greater understanding between groups of people, and works towards inclusivity and acceptance. Studies show apparel that celebrates diversity can open conversations and create greater feelings of self-worth for those people who felt previously overlooked and even oppressed.
Education – Great fashion has to be created and this involves skills. By teaching skills to underprivileged communities, like design and styling, they can start to gain confidence in their abilities and use these to get jobs. This is empowering, inspiring and has the power to create a ripple effect of success throughout whole areas.
Benefits – By creating an accessible fashion industry, those in currently marginalised communities can benefit from training resources, inspirational designs, job opportunities and more. Great fashion reinforces core values of educating, inspiring and fostering acceptance and empowers communities to become more driven and establish greater identities.
Social Impact and Campaigns – There are many fashion designers around the world who use their talents and resources to help in many and varied way. They can use fashion to highlight serious social issues, and help those in need or those who have been marginalised. Empowering campaigns such as:
act as inspiring examples of the power of fashion to enact positive social change.
Fashion has the power to bring together and empower all kinds of communities around the world, teaching them skills and fostering acceptance and pride. It creates a positive effect that can aid in economic success, social inclusion, community identity and much more.
From the red carpets of high-end fashion shows to everyday streetwear, fashion is a powerful way to express and honor our beautiful diversity. Designing for diversity is much more than just adapting pre-existing designs to suit different sizes; it is a celebration of the unique beauty of every person. By embracing and applauding diverse reflections of beauty, fashion creators can set the tone for a more inclusive tomorrow.
