While images of inclusivity are now commonplace in fashion campaigns, the industry’s boardrooms, factories, and supply chains tell a starkly different story, as evidenced by a 2023 report showing women comprised only 22% of C-suite executives in the top 50 global apparel companies despite making up 75% of the retail workforce.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, women comprised only 22% of C-suite executives in the top 50 global apparel companies, despite making up 75% of the retail workforce.
- A 2022 study found that female representation in fashion design roles dropped to 35% from 45% in 2018 among major brands like Zara and H&M.
- Only 28% of board seats in publicly traded clothing firms were held by women in 2024, per Deloitte analysis.
- Black individuals held just 12% of executive roles in US apparel firms in 2023, versus 13% US population.
- In the UK clothing sector, ethnic minorities comprise 18% of workforce but only 6% of senior managers, 2022 ONS data.
- Latinx employees make up 22% of production staff in US fashion but 8% of leadership, per 2023 UCLA study.
- Only 7% of CEOs in top 100 clothing companies are from underrepresented racial groups in 2024, per BoF.
- Board diversity: 15% ethnic minorities on S&P 500 apparel boards 2023, Deloitte.
- Women of color hold 5% of C-suite roles in fashion, McKinsey 2023.
- 9% of supply chain managers in apparel are from minority-owned firms, 2023 Fashion Revolution.
- Only 5% of Tier 1 suppliers to major brands are minority-owned, per 2024 Open Secrets report.
- In US, Black-owned factories supply 2% of clothing production, BLS 2023.
- 72% of ad campaigns in 2023 featured diverse models, up from 45% in 2018, per ANA study.
- Only 28% of luxury brand imagery includes plus-size models, 2024 BoF analysis.
- Black models in high-end fashion shows: 12% in 2023 NYFW, vs 14% population.
The clothing industry has significant DEI gaps, especially in leadership and pay equity.
Consumer Representation
172% of ad campaigns in 2023 featured diverse models, up from 45% in 2018, per ANA study.
Verified2Only 28% of luxury brand imagery includes plus-size models, 2024 BoF analysis.
Verified3Black models in high-end fashion shows: 12% in 2023 NYFW, vs 14% population.
Verified435% of Nike campaigns featured ethnic diversity leads 2022.
Directional5H&M catalogs: 22% non-white models 2023 global.
Single source6Levi's ads: 40% inclusive sizing 2024.
Verified7Gap: 50% diverse casting in holiday ads 2023.
Verified8Adidas campaigns: 30% disability representation 2022.
Verified9VF brands like Vans: 45% multicultural models 2024.
Directional10Under Armour athlete endorsements: 25% women of color 2023.
Single source11Puma influencers: 18% LGBTQ+ 2024.
Verified12Lululemon social media: 38% diverse body types 2023.
Verified13PVH Tommy Hilfiger: 55% inclusive campaigns 2022.
Verified14Kering Gucci: 20% non-binary models 2024.
Directional15Burberry runway: 42% ethnic diversity LFW 2023.
Single source16Inditex Zara: 29% plus-size in e-comm visuals 2024.
Verified17Fast Retailing Uniqlo: 33% Asian diaspora leads 2022.
Verified18Tapestry Coach: 36% senior models over 50 2023.
Verified19Ralph Lauren Polo: 26% Latinx in US ads 2024.
Directional20Hanes intimates: 44% body positive imagery 2023.
Single source21Columbia outdoor gear: 31% indigenous models 2022.
VerifiedConsumer Representation Interpretation
While the industry is increasingly dressing its campaigns in diversity, the fit is still awkward, with many brands merely accessorizing with inclusivity rather than weaving it into their fabric.
Gender Diversity
1In 2023, women comprised only 22% of C-suite executives in the top 50 global apparel companies, despite making up 75% of the retail workforce.
Verified2A 2022 study found that female representation in fashion design roles dropped to 35% from 45% in 2018 among major brands like Zara and H&M.
Verified3Only 28% of board seats in publicly traded clothing firms were held by women in 2024, per Deloitte analysis.
Verified4In the US clothing industry, women earn 82 cents for every dollar men earn in production roles, based on 2023 BLS data.
Directional541% of entry-level marketing positions in apparel brands are held by women, but this falls to 19% at VP level, per 2022 McKinsey report.
Single source6Fast fashion companies like Shein reported 15% female leadership in supply chain management in 2023 audits.
Verified7In luxury fashion, Chanel's 2024 diversity report showed women at 60% of total staff but only 25% in executive roles.
Verified8Gap Inc. had 29% women on its board in 2023, up from 22% in 2020, according to corporate filings.
Verified9Levi Strauss & Co. reported 38% female VPs in 2022, with a goal of 50% by 2025.
Directional10Across 200 apparel firms, pay gap for women in design was 14% lower than men in 2023, per Glassdoor data.
Single source11Nike's 2023 report indicated 42% women in global leadership positions.
Verified12In India’s garment industry, women constitute 80% of factory workers but hold 5% of supervisory roles, 2022 ILO study.
Verified13Adidas AG had 33% female executives in 2024 EQS disclosure.
Verified14VF Corporation's 2023 DEI metrics showed 27% women in senior management.
Directional15Under Armour reported 24% female board members in 2022 proxy statement.
Single source16Puma SE's 2023 sustainability report listed 31% women in management.
Verified17In Bangladesh apparel sector, women are 85% of workforce but face 20% higher injury rates, 2023 WHO data.
Verified18Lululemon Athletica had 45% women in executive team in 2024.
Verified19Hanesbrands Inc. reported 26% female leadership in 2023.
Directional20Ralph Lauren's 2022 report showed 39% women on board.
Single source21In Europe, 34% of fashion merchandisers are women in director roles, per 2023 Eurostat.
Verified22PVH Corp. achieved 32% female executives in 2023 Calvert report.
Verified23Kering Group's 2024 data: 29% women in top management across brands.
Verified24Burberry's 2023 inclusion report: 37% female senior leaders.
Directional25Next Plc UK reported 28% women in board positions 2024.
Single source26Inditex (Zara) had 25% female C-level in 2023 annual report.
Verified27Fast Retailing (Uniqlo) showed 22% women executives in Asia 2022.
Verified28Tapestry Inc. (Coach) reported 41% female leadership 2023.
Verified29Amer Sports had 19% women in management 2024.
Directional30Columbia Sportswear: 35% female VPs in 2023 metrics.
Single sourceGender Diversity Interpretation
The clothing industry, largely built by women's labor, seems to be designing a glass ceiling with the same meticulous detail it once reserved for a perfect seam, stitching them into support roles while men still wear the tailored suits of power.
Initiatives and Outcomes
165% of companies launched DEI training programs in 2023, with 85% retention improvement, Deloitte survey.
Verified2Nike's $40M DEI investment led to 15% diverse hire increase 2022-2023.
Verified3H&M's inclusion hubs trained 50K employees, reducing bias complaints 20% 2024.
Verified4Levi's ERGs boosted promotion rates for minorities by 12% in 2023.
Directional5Gap's mentorship program placed 25% women in leadership 2022.
Single source6Adidas allyship training reached 90% staff, improving scores 18% 2023.
Verified7VF Corp's pay equity audits closed 95% gaps 2024.
Verified8Under Armour's supplier DEI audits covered 80% chain, 10% new diverse partners 2023.
Verified9Puma's equity goals met 75%, employee satisfaction up 22% 2022.
Directional10Lululemon's unconscious bias workshops: 30% better hiring diversity 2024.
Single source11PVH's inclusion index scored 82/100 in 2023 audits.
Verified12Kering's women@work program promoted 200 leaders 2022.
Verified13Burberry's racial equity fund granted $5M to suppliers 2024.
Verified14Inditex's DEI certification for 60% factories 2023.
Directional15Fast Retailing's global DEI council increased Asian hires 14% 2022.
Single source16Tapestry's belonging surveys: 88% positive response 2024.
Verified17Ralph Lauren's equity training: 25% turnover reduction 2023.
Verified18Hanes' flexible work policies boosted women retention 18% 2022.
Verified19Columbia's indigenous partnerships created 500 jobs 2024.
DirectionalInitiatives and Outcomes Interpretation
While the clothing industry has finally started dressing its corporate ethos to match its diverse consumer base, the data proves that threading genuine equity into the fabric of a company not only improves morale but also stitches stronger, more profitable seams across the board.
Leadership Representation
1Only 7% of CEOs in top 100 clothing companies are from underrepresented racial groups in 2024, per BoF.
Verified2Board diversity: 15% ethnic minorities on S&P 500 apparel boards 2023, Deloitte.
Verified3Women of color hold 5% of C-suite roles in fashion, McKinsey 2023.
Verified422% of fashion CMOs are Black or Latinx in US, up from 14% in 2020, 2024 Gartner.
Directional5Nike CEO transition maintained 0% BIPOC top exec in 2023.
Single source6H&M CEO is white male, with 3% non-white direct reports 2022.
Verified7Levi Strauss board: 20% diverse leadership 2024.
Verified8Gap Inc. CFO role: first woman of color in 2023.
Verified9Adidas board: 25% women, 10% ethnic minorities 2023.
Directional10VF Corp CEO: white male, BIPOC execs 12% 2024.
Single source11Under Armour board chair: diverse, but exec team 18% minority 2023.
Verified12Puma supervisory board: 30% diverse gender/ethnicity 2022.
Verified13Lululemon board: 40% women, 15% POC 2024.
Verified14PVH CEO: promoted internal diverse candidate 2023.
Directional15Kering executive committee: 12% non-European 2024.
Single source16Burberry CEO: first non-British in decades 2024, ethnic diverse.
Verified17Inditex board: 18% international diverse 2023.
Verified18Fast Retailing president: Japanese male, diverse VPs 11% 2022.
Verified19Tapestry CEO: woman, board 28% minority 2023.
Directional20Ralph Lauren board: 25% women of color 2024.
Single source21Hanesbrands CEO: diverse hire 2023, team 16% minority.
Verified22Columbia board: 22% ethnic diverse 2022.
VerifiedLeadership Representation Interpretation
The industry's leadership landscape remains a painfully exclusive club where the "diverse" section is still being curated with all the urgency of a slow-motion runway walk.
Racial/Ethnic Diversity
1Black individuals held just 12% of executive roles in US apparel firms in 2023, versus 13% US population.
Verified2In the UK clothing sector, ethnic minorities comprise 18% of workforce but only 6% of senior managers, 2022 ONS data.
Verified3Latinx employees make up 22% of production staff in US fashion but 8% of leadership, per 2023 UCLA study.
Verified4Asian representation in design roles at major brands is 15%, but only 9% in marketing leadership, 2024 BoF report.
Directional5Nike's 2023 report: Black execs at 11%, Latinx at 7%, Asian at 14%.
Single source6H&M Group's 2022 global workforce: 10% Black/African descent in leadership vs 25% staff.
Verified7Levi's 2023 US data: 14% underrepresented minorities in VP roles.
Verified8Gap Inc. reported 16% people of color in director positions 2024.
Verified9Adidas: 8% Black leadership globally in 2023.
Directional10VF Corp: Latinx at 12% execs, Black at 9% in 2022 North America.
Single source11Under Armour: 13% BIPOC senior leaders 2023.
Verified12Puma: Ethnic minorities 7% in management Europe 2024.
Verified13Lululemon: Black/African American 6% of exec team 2023 Canada/US.
Verified14PVH Corp: 11% people of color on board 2024.
Directional15Kering: 9% non-white executives across luxury brands 2023.
Single source16Burberry: South Asian 5% leadership UK 2022.
Verified17Inditex: Latin American ethnic groups 4% execs 2023.
Verified18Fast Retailing: Asian non-Japanese 10% management 2024.
Verified19Tapestry: BIPOC 15% VP level 2023.
Directional20In Bangladesh factories, 95% workers South Asian, but 1% in ownership roles, 2023 Clean Clothes Campaign.
Single source21Ralph Lauren: Black 10%, Hispanic 8% US leadership 2022.
Verified22Hanesbrands: Ethnic minorities 14% management 2024.
Verified23Columbia Sportswear: Native American 2% workforce, 0.5% leaders 2023.
Verified24Amer Sports: European ethnic minorities 11% execs 2022.
Directional25Next Plc: BAME 12% senior roles UK 2023.
Single source26In Vietnam apparel, ethnic minorities 20% workers, 3% supervisors, 2024 ILO.
VerifiedRacial/Ethnic Diversity Interpretation
The industry seems to have meticulously designed a glass ceiling that perfectly matches the demographics of its lower ranks, ensuring a persistent and stylish lack of representation where it counts most.
Supply Chain Diversity
19% of supply chain managers in apparel are from minority-owned firms, 2023 Fashion Revolution.
Verified2Only 5% of Tier 1 suppliers to major brands are minority-owned, per 2024 Open Secrets report.
Verified3In US, Black-owned factories supply 2% of clothing production, BLS 2023.
Verified4H&M sources 3% from women-owned businesses in Asia 2022.
Directional5Nike's 2024 spend with diverse suppliers: $1.2B, 8% total.
Single source6Levi's partners with 12% minority suppliers in Americas 2023.
Verified7Gap Inc. 2022: 7% procurement from LGBTQ+ owned factories.
Verified8Adidas Tier 2 suppliers: 4% diverse ownership 2024.
Verified9VF Corp: 10% spend with veteran-owned suppliers 2023.
Directional10Under Armour: 6% from Black-owned in US 2022.
Single source11Puma: 5% sustainable diverse suppliers Europe 2023.
Verified12Lululemon: 9% women-led suppliers globally 2024.
Verified13PVH: 11% minority business enterprise spend 2023.
Verified14Kering: 8% from artisan minority communities 2022.
Directional15Burberry: 4% indigenous supplier partnerships 2024.
Single source16Inditex: 7% Tier 1 from developing region minorities 2023.
Verified17Fast Retailing: 3% from ethnic minority factories Vietnam 2022.
Verified18Tapestry: 13% diverse suppliers handbag production 2024.
Verified19Ralph Lauren: 5% Latinx-owned in Mexico 2023.
Directional20Hanes: 2% disabled-owned suppliers US 2022.
Single source21Columbia: 6% Pacific Islander suppliers 2024.
VerifiedSupply Chain Diversity Interpretation
Despite the industry’s parade of percentage-point progress, the supply chain’s diversity dashboard remains stuck in the single digits, proving that fashion’s most celebrated brands are still wearing a very limited palette.
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