GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Fashion Industry Statistics

Diversity remains limited; brands increasingly value inclusive representation and policies.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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45% of consumers believe brands should do more to promote racial equality

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Around 60% of fashion consumers believe brand transparency on supply chain is essential for trust

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31% of fashion brands have incorporated sustainability alongside diversity initiatives

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50% of consumers are more likely to support brands that highlight cultural inclusivity

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Fashion brands that have women in leadership roles see a 20% higher return on investment

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52% of fashion consumers think brands should be more vocal about social justice issues

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89% of fashion consumers support brands taking a stand on social justice issues

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68% of fashion industry leaders agree that diversity and inclusion positively impact brand reputation

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80% of fashion workers feel there is a lack of diversity in the industry

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65% of fashion consumers prefer brands that showcase diverse models

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58% of fashion brands have no formal diversity and inclusion strategy

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Only 4% of fashion industry executives are of Asian descent

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57% of fashion workers have observed discrimination within their companies

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Less than 10% of fashion runway models are people of color

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70% of brands have yet to fully implement diversity training programs

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35% of fashion brands have used diverse models in advertising campaigns

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28% of fashion brands have publicly committed to increasing diversity

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73% of fashion professionals agree diversity is crucial for creativity

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Less than 3% of fashion CEO positions are held by women of color

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83% of fashion companies say they are working toward more inclusive hiring practices

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52% of fashion consumers say they are more loyal to brands that showcase diversity

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27% of fashion advertisements feature models from diverse backgrounds

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15% of fashion executives prioritize diversity as a top strategic goal

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66% of fashion students express interest in working for inclusive brands

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Only 12% of fashion design graduates are from underrepresented ethnic groups

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54% of fashion professionals feel that their companies are still not doing enough to promote inclusion

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70% of fashion brands have diversity and inclusion policies, but only 50% actively enforce them

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Less than 25% of fashion industry awards recognize diverse talent

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38% of fashion companies have established specific targets for increasing diversity

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69% of young fashion professionals prioritize working for brands with strong diversity policies

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67% of fashion industry surveys indicate that diversity improves overall company performance

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22% of fashion marketing campaigns feature LGBTQ+ models

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74% of fashion workers believe that the industry's approach to diversity still has significant room for improvement

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Crowdfunding initiatives supporting minority designers increased by 35% over the past three years

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43% of fashion companies have introduced gender-neutral clothing lines

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55% of fashion designers believe diversity enhances creativity

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30% of fashion industry employees have experienced microaggressions related to their ethnicity or gender

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45% of fashion professionals report a lack of diversity training being a barrier to inclusion

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36% of fashion brands have been called out for insufficient diversity in their ads

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41% of fashion students from diverse backgrounds feel they are underrepresented in the industry

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47% of fashion brands have no diversity and inclusion metrics to measure success

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28% of fashion brands have organized diversity and inclusion workshops for staff

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64% of fashion supply chain companies have no public diversity policies

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25% of fashion brands have established mentorship programs for minority designers

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48% of brands have faced backlash for lack of diversity in campaigns

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49% of fashion brands have faced criticism for cultural appropriation

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Only 21% of fashion industry executives are women

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Only 11% of creative directors in the fashion industry are people of color

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Black individuals constitute approximately 3% of designers in the fashion industry

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The average tenure of diversity officers in fashion companies is under 2 years

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40% of fashion industry jobs are held by women

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60% of fashion supply chain workers are women

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62% of fashion employees have experienced or witnessed harassment or bias at work

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23% of fashion industry leadership positions are held by minorities

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44% of fashion industry workers are open to switching to more inclusive brands

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Only 13% of fashion industry workers of color feel there are equal opportunities for advancement

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Key Highlights

Only 21% of fashion industry executives are women
Black individuals constitute approximately 3% of designers in the fashion industry
80% of fashion workers feel there is a lack of diversity in the industry
Only 11% of creative directors in the fashion industry are people of color
65% of fashion consumers prefer brands that showcase diverse models
The average tenure of diversity officers in fashion companies is under 2 years
58% of fashion brands have no formal diversity and inclusion strategy
Only 4% of fashion industry executives are of Asian descent
57% of fashion workers have observed discrimination within their companies
45% of consumers believe brands should do more to promote racial equality
Less than 10% of fashion runway models are people of color
70% of brands have yet to fully implement diversity training programs
35% of fashion brands have used diverse models in advertising campaigns

Despite overwhelming consumer support and compelling evidence that diversity fuels creativity and profitability, the fashion industry still struggles with glaring gaps in representation, inclusion, and accountability.

Consumer Perceptions and Support

45% of consumers believe brands should do more to promote racial equality
Around 60% of fashion consumers believe brand transparency on supply chain is essential for trust
31% of fashion brands have incorporated sustainability alongside diversity initiatives
50% of consumers are more likely to support brands that highlight cultural inclusivity
Fashion brands that have women in leadership roles see a 20% higher return on investment
52% of fashion consumers think brands should be more vocal about social justice issues
89% of fashion consumers support brands taking a stand on social justice issues
68% of fashion industry leaders agree that diversity and inclusion positively impact brand reputation

Consumer Perceptions and Support Interpretation

With nearly half of consumers calling for brands to actively champion racial equality and social justice, and a clear link between diversity leadership and financial performance, the fashion industry’s embrace of transparency, sustainability, and cultural inclusivity isn't just ethically sound—it's also becoming a smart business move in the race for consumer trust and loyalty.

Diversity and Inclusion Representation

80% of fashion workers feel there is a lack of diversity in the industry
65% of fashion consumers prefer brands that showcase diverse models
58% of fashion brands have no formal diversity and inclusion strategy
Only 4% of fashion industry executives are of Asian descent
57% of fashion workers have observed discrimination within their companies
Less than 10% of fashion runway models are people of color
70% of brands have yet to fully implement diversity training programs
35% of fashion brands have used diverse models in advertising campaigns
28% of fashion brands have publicly committed to increasing diversity
73% of fashion professionals agree diversity is crucial for creativity
Less than 3% of fashion CEO positions are held by women of color
83% of fashion companies say they are working toward more inclusive hiring practices
52% of fashion consumers say they are more loyal to brands that showcase diversity
27% of fashion advertisements feature models from diverse backgrounds
15% of fashion executives prioritize diversity as a top strategic goal
66% of fashion students express interest in working for inclusive brands
Only 12% of fashion design graduates are from underrepresented ethnic groups
54% of fashion professionals feel that their companies are still not doing enough to promote inclusion
70% of fashion brands have diversity and inclusion policies, but only 50% actively enforce them
Less than 25% of fashion industry awards recognize diverse talent
38% of fashion companies have established specific targets for increasing diversity
69% of young fashion professionals prioritize working for brands with strong diversity policies
67% of fashion industry surveys indicate that diversity improves overall company performance
22% of fashion marketing campaigns feature LGBTQ+ models
74% of fashion workers believe that the industry's approach to diversity still has significant room for improvement
Crowdfunding initiatives supporting minority designers increased by 35% over the past three years
43% of fashion companies have introduced gender-neutral clothing lines
55% of fashion designers believe diversity enhances creativity
30% of fashion industry employees have experienced microaggressions related to their ethnicity or gender
45% of fashion professionals report a lack of diversity training being a barrier to inclusion
36% of fashion brands have been called out for insufficient diversity in their ads
41% of fashion students from diverse backgrounds feel they are underrepresented in the industry

Diversity and Inclusion Representation Interpretation

Despite a growing chorus of voices urging inclusivity, the fashion industry remains a paradox—where 80% of workers see a lack of diversity, yet only 4% of executives are of Asian descent and less than a quarter of campaigns feature models from underrepresented backgrounds, highlighting that while the industry acknowledges the importance of diversity for creativity and performance, far too many brands still lag behind in actionable change.

Industry Practices and Initiatives

47% of fashion brands have no diversity and inclusion metrics to measure success
28% of fashion brands have organized diversity and inclusion workshops for staff
64% of fashion supply chain companies have no public diversity policies
25% of fashion brands have established mentorship programs for minority designers

Industry Practices and Initiatives Interpretation

These statistics reveal that while some fashion brands dabble in diversity initiatives, a startling majority are navigating the runway of inclusion without a clear blueprint or accountability—highlighting the urgent need for measured progress behind the glamorous facade.

Media Representation and Public Backlash

48% of brands have faced backlash for lack of diversity in campaigns
49% of fashion brands have faced criticism for cultural appropriation

Media Representation and Public Backlash Interpretation

Nearly half of fashion brands stumble into controversy—be it backlash for lacking diversity or accusations of cultural appropriation—highlighting that in the runway of progress, empathy and representation are the true standing ovation essential for staying in vogue.

Workforce Demographics

Only 21% of fashion industry executives are women
Only 11% of creative directors in the fashion industry are people of color

Workforce Demographics Interpretation

These statistics reveal that despite the glamorous façade, the fashion industry still has a long runway to walk in tilting toward true gender and racial parity, reminding us that style isn’t just what’s on the outside but who’s shaping it from within.

Workforce Demographics and Tenure

Black individuals constitute approximately 3% of designers in the fashion industry
The average tenure of diversity officers in fashion companies is under 2 years
40% of fashion industry jobs are held by women
60% of fashion supply chain workers are women
62% of fashion employees have experienced or witnessed harassment or bias at work
23% of fashion industry leadership positions are held by minorities
44% of fashion industry workers are open to switching to more inclusive brands
Only 13% of fashion industry workers of color feel there are equal opportunities for advancement

Workforce Demographics and Tenure Interpretation

These staggering statistics reveal that while women comprise a significant portion of the fashion workforce, true diversity and inclusion remain elusive — with minority representation, tenure of diversity initiatives, and equitable advancement opportunities indicating that the industry’s fashionable facade masks deeper systemic inequalities.