Inclusivity In Fashion: Celebrating Diversity On The Runway And Beyond
While the fashion industry might have once resonated with the skinniest of bodies, a largely white population of models, and a propensity to promote fashion that only the richest could afford, it is now ever-evolving to include the entire population. The fashion industry of today is celebrating diversity on the runway, in its advertising, and in celebrating beauty for its uniqueness and not its conformity.
The fashion industry is massively influential and ever-changing to keep the trends on par with what is currently viewed as acceptable and popular in its mind.
While the fashion industry might have once resonated with the skinniest of bodies, a largely white population of models, and a propensity to promote fashion that only the richest could afford, it is now ever-evolving to include the entire population.
The fashion industry of today is celebrating diversity on the runway, in its advertising, and in celebrating beauty for its uniqueness and not its conformity.
Body Inclusivity
Historically, the fashion industry primarily featured unrealistic beauty ideals consisting of predominantly white models who were tall, extremely slender, and had zero visible imperfections. The portrayal of what was considered “beauty” only applied to a small portion of the population and left the rest feeling as if they weren’t enough.
With the fashion industry looking to be more inclusive and appeal to the majority rather than the minority, there have been changes in the models you see in magazines, on social media, and on television. One of the largest shifts toward body inclusivity is that the fashion industry is no longer showing mostly white models.
Advertisements and fashion campaigns feature all races and genders now, including different gender identities and even models that are completely androgynous.
Photo by Christopher Campbell on Unsplash
Furthermore, the fashion world has begun to celebrate the uniqueness of models, featuring those with freckles, different-colored eyes, plus-size models, and those that appeal to everyone in the population rather than just a small percentage.
In this quest, fashion companies have begun to feature fashion trends that used to be considered outside the realm of “typical” fashion. These can include fashion options in accessories where pieces like female gold grillz or body piercings are featured in advertising.
Photo by Svetlana Pochatun on Unsplash
Global fashion brands have also begun to feature items that anyone can afford, but more importantly feature ads and campaigns reminding everyone to enjoy wherever they are financially. For example, campaigns can be targeted at those who want to purchase diamond layering bracelets without guilt while others can be designed for those looking to save money with a pair of pants that zip off into capris or shorts. The diversity has allowed fashionistas to exist with whatever salary they make.
These changes have allowed fashion brands to feature models that don’t fit into any mold and therefore appeal to the masses.
Diversity In Shopping
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With the pandemic of 2020 and a large portion of the workforce working remotely or in a hybrid model, shopping made some serious changes with regard to how the population will see and experience fashion. With these changes in
how people work came changes in how they shop with more online shopping than ever before. With this in mind, the fashion industry had to change how they present their products and trends, featuring them more on social media and in online experiences rather than including them in pieces in-store.
This has allowed shoppers to access fashion from their homes and even feel more comfortable making purchases knowing they can try them on at home or in a digital mock-up experience and choose their fashion without any anxiety.
Sustainability
Photo by Francois Le Nguyen on Unsplash
Another shift toward inclusivity in the fashion realm is the shift for fashion brands to be sustainable. With a call for more designers to create their pieces sustainably, avoiding unethical practices, unsafe dyes, and limiting waste, the fashion industry is making shifts globally to use better products for our earth and create less strain on our ecosystem. This change has led to companies being more accountable to their buyers, the environment, and their practices.
Diversity in Design
While the fashion world is often thought to consist of clothing, jewelry, and makeup, it also extends to the interior design realm as well. With changes in the fashion industry being positive for all forms of inclusive design, the interior design aspect has made some incredible changes as well.
Where eclectic and expensive taste used to prevail, functional design has now been added to the interior design fashion repertoire. Simple pieces that can be purchased inexpensively are being featured by top fashion brands to show the public that your home can be ornate and unique or simple and functional, but either option is definitely fashionable.
Fashion Inclusivity Benefits
The fashion world has dominated the way in which many people, especially young girls, view themselves and find their value.
With inclusivity campaigns featuring plus-size models, “imperfect” bodies, simple jewelry, and functional interior design, fashion is now more of a way to find what appeals to you most.
It doesn’t require conformity any longer and leaves no one out of its wings. So, enjoy the openness the fashion industry has transformed into, and go find your unique style!