GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Apparel Industry Statistics

Diversity boosts trust, innovation, growth, but minority leadership remains underrepresented.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Diversity initiatives in the apparel industry led to a 25% increase in consumer trust

Statistic 2

65% of consumers prefer brands committed to sustainability and inclusivity

Statistic 3

The inclusion of people with disabilities in fashion is increasing, yet only 5% of brands actively design for accessibility

Statistic 4

The global apparel market is expected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030 with inclusivity driving a significant portion of growth

Statistic 5

35% of consumers feel brands still lack genuine diversity and inclusion practices

Statistic 6

82% of fashion consumers support brands that promote gender equality

Statistic 7

38% of consumers report that brand diversity influences their purchasing decision

Statistic 8

70% of fashion consumers prefer brands that demonstrate inclusive sizing and diversity

Statistic 9

40% of young consumers cite diversity as a major factor influencing their fashion choices

Statistic 10

29% of shoppers are more loyal to brands that promote diversity and representation

Statistic 11

58% of consumers believe that brands need to do more to promote racial equity in fashion

Statistic 12

Only 10% of leadership roles in apparel companies are held by minorities

Statistic 13

Only 15% of new fashion brands are led by women in executive roles

Statistic 14

In 2023, only 12% of executive roles in global apparel companies are held by minorities

Statistic 15

Women of color represent only 15% of executive roles in global apparel corporations

Statistic 16

The representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in fashion leadership roles has increased by 20% over the past five years

Statistic 17

78% of consumers want brands to be more transparent about their supply chain diversity efforts

Statistic 18

Apparel companies with diverse supplier networks report 15% higher profitability

Statistic 19

22% of apparel supply chains have transparency regarding racial and gender diversity

Statistic 20

45% of apparel companies have incorporated supplier diversity programs

Statistic 21

Women make up 70% of the workforce in the apparel manufacturing sector

Statistic 22

Only 20% of apparel brands have comprehensive DEI policies

Statistic 23

Brands with diverse leadership are 45% more likely to see innovation as a competitive advantage

Statistic 24

55% of apparel workers worldwide are women, yet they earn 20% less than their male counterparts

Statistic 25

The apparel industry's diversity efforts increased investment by 30% from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 26

40% of fashion employees have experienced discrimination based on gender or ethnicity

Statistic 27

60% of apparel workers in developing countries are women, with many facing wage disparities and poor working conditions

Statistic 28

The percentage of minority-owned apparel brands has doubled in the last five years

Statistic 29

52% of apparel industry executives believe that DEI initiatives directly impact financial performance

Statistic 30

48% of apparel companies have no formal DEI training programs

Statistic 31

Fashion brands that engage in DEI initiatives see a 25% faster growth rate than those that do not

Statistic 32

The representation of Black designers in mainstream fashion has increased by 35% over the past decade

Statistic 33

30% of fashion industry employees across regions are from underrepresented ethnic groups

Statistic 34

28% of apparel brands publicly report on diversity metrics annually

Statistic 35

65% of apparel brands have actively committed to DEI policies in response to consumer demand

Statistic 36

55% of apparel companies plan to increase DEI budgets over the next two years

Statistic 37

62% of fashion industry workers agree that increased diversity leads to better team performance

Statistic 38

75% of fashion brands have implemented at least one DEI initiative

Statistic 39

33% of apparel companies have faced criticism or protests due to lack of diversity

Statistic 40

47% of fashion industry employees feel proud when working for inclusive brands

Statistic 41

42% of clothing brands have initiated collaborations with minority designers

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Key Highlights

Diversity initiatives in the apparel industry led to a 25% increase in consumer trust
Women make up 70% of the workforce in the apparel manufacturing sector
Only 20% of apparel brands have comprehensive DEI policies
Brands with diverse leadership are 45% more likely to see innovation as a competitive advantage
65% of consumers prefer brands committed to sustainability and inclusivity
Only 10% of leadership roles in apparel companies are held by minorities
55% of apparel workers worldwide are women, yet they earn 20% less than their male counterparts
The inclusion of people with disabilities in fashion is increasing, yet only 5% of brands actively design for accessibility
78% of consumers want brands to be more transparent about their supply chain diversity efforts
The apparel industry's diversity efforts increased investment by 30% from 2020 to 2023
40% of fashion employees have experienced discrimination based on gender or ethnicity
The global apparel market is expected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030 with inclusivity driving a significant portion of growth
35% of consumers feel brands still lack genuine diversity and inclusion practices

In an industry where over 70% of the workforce is female and diversity initiatives have boosted consumer trust by 25%, the apparel sector stands at a pivotal crossroads to champion inclusivity, equity, and meaningful representation—yet significant gaps remain that could shape its future success.

Consumer Preferences and Loyalty

Diversity initiatives in the apparel industry led to a 25% increase in consumer trust
65% of consumers prefer brands committed to sustainability and inclusivity
The inclusion of people with disabilities in fashion is increasing, yet only 5% of brands actively design for accessibility
The global apparel market is expected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030 with inclusivity driving a significant portion of growth
35% of consumers feel brands still lack genuine diversity and inclusion practices
82% of fashion consumers support brands that promote gender equality
38% of consumers report that brand diversity influences their purchasing decision
70% of fashion consumers prefer brands that demonstrate inclusive sizing and diversity
40% of young consumers cite diversity as a major factor influencing their fashion choices
29% of shoppers are more loyal to brands that promote diversity and representation
58% of consumers believe that brands need to do more to promote racial equity in fashion

Consumer Preferences and Loyalty Interpretation

While the apparel industry is making strides toward inclusivity—with increasing consumer trust, a rising global market, and a majority supporting diversity—there remains a significant gap, as only a fraction of brands actively design for accessibility and authentic diversity, revealing that true inclusion is still more aspiration than reality in fashion's fabric.

Leadership Representation and Advancement

Only 10% of leadership roles in apparel companies are held by minorities
Only 15% of new fashion brands are led by women in executive roles
In 2023, only 12% of executive roles in global apparel companies are held by minorities
Women of color represent only 15% of executive roles in global apparel corporations
The representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in fashion leadership roles has increased by 20% over the past five years

Leadership Representation and Advancement Interpretation

While strides like a 20% increase in LGBTQ+ leadership illuminate progress, the glaring underrepresentation of minorities and women—holding just 10-15% of executive roles—remind us that the runway to true diversity in apparel remains a long one.

Supply Chain Transparency and Supplier Diversity

78% of consumers want brands to be more transparent about their supply chain diversity efforts
Apparel companies with diverse supplier networks report 15% higher profitability
22% of apparel supply chains have transparency regarding racial and gender diversity
45% of apparel companies have incorporated supplier diversity programs

Supply Chain Transparency and Supplier Diversity Interpretation

With 78% of consumers demanding transparency and affirmative evidence that diverse supplier networks boost profits by 15%, the apparel industry’s push toward racial and gender diversity isn't just politically correct—it's profitably prudent, yet nearly half still lag behind in meaningful transparency.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion

Women make up 70% of the workforce in the apparel manufacturing sector
Only 20% of apparel brands have comprehensive DEI policies
Brands with diverse leadership are 45% more likely to see innovation as a competitive advantage
55% of apparel workers worldwide are women, yet they earn 20% less than their male counterparts
The apparel industry's diversity efforts increased investment by 30% from 2020 to 2023
40% of fashion employees have experienced discrimination based on gender or ethnicity
60% of apparel workers in developing countries are women, with many facing wage disparities and poor working conditions
The percentage of minority-owned apparel brands has doubled in the last five years
52% of apparel industry executives believe that DEI initiatives directly impact financial performance
48% of apparel companies have no formal DEI training programs
Fashion brands that engage in DEI initiatives see a 25% faster growth rate than those that do not
The representation of Black designers in mainstream fashion has increased by 35% over the past decade
30% of fashion industry employees across regions are from underrepresented ethnic groups
28% of apparel brands publicly report on diversity metrics annually
65% of apparel brands have actively committed to DEI policies in response to consumer demand
55% of apparel companies plan to increase DEI budgets over the next two years
62% of fashion industry workers agree that increased diversity leads to better team performance
75% of fashion brands have implemented at least one DEI initiative
33% of apparel companies have faced criticism or protests due to lack of diversity
47% of fashion industry employees feel proud when working for inclusive brands
42% of clothing brands have initiated collaborations with minority designers

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Interpretation

Despite women comprising 70% of the apparel workforce and industry diversity initiatives increasing by 30% since 2020, only 20% of brands have comprehensive policies—underscoring that, in fashion as in life, appearance may change faster than genuine inclusion, and balancing bias with business innovation remains an ongoing runway challenge.