GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Diversity In The Apparel Industry Statistics

The apparel industry statistics demonstrate a lack of diversity, with underrepresentation of certain demographic groups in both leadership positions and overall workforce.

Highlights: Diversity In The Apparel Industry Statistics

  • According to McKinsey’s 2019 report, companies in the top quartile for ethnic diversity are 36% more likely to achieve above-average profitability.
  • In 2019, only 3 of the 13 largest fashion corporations in the US had a diverse executive team that spanned 50% of the total.
  • As of 2021, less than 10% of decision-makers at venture capital firms in the fashion apparel industry are females.
  • Around 85% of graduates from fashion-design programs across the U.S are female, however, this gender diversity does not translate to the industry's leadership roles.
  • According to Fashion Revolution's 2020 Fashion Transparency Index, only five out of 250 brands published the annual gender pay gap in their supply chain.
  • According to a report by the International Labor Organization, ethnic minority women in the fashion supply chain face significant wage gaps, earning as much as 30% less than their male counterparts.
  • In a study by the Fashion Spot, only 44.8% of models in the Spring 2019 fashion campaign were models of color.
  • Business of Fashion's report indicates that only 15% of employees at fashion brands identify as Black.
  • In the Council of Fashion Designers of America's 2019 insider report, only 41.6% of designers were women.
  • Forbes reports that of the 146 fashion executives at major companies, only 15.75% are people of color.
  • In a survey by InStyle, 64% of women felt ignored by the fashion industry.
  • According to a report from McKinsey & Company in 2020, only 19% of designers were of Asian descent.
  • According to a 2021 report, only 19.3% of fashion industry leaders were female despite making up the majority of retail consumers globally.
  • In 2020, a report by the Fashion Spot found that 68.5% of model appearances in international fashion advertising campaigns were white models.
  • A 2018 report by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) found that brands produced only 2.7 plus size clothing options on average for women.
  • Reports show that only 7% of the body types represented in fashion imagery can be classified as plus-size.
  • Only 22% of 100 fashion companies analyzed by the Fashion Revolution had released supplier lists that were detailed enough to assess diversity and inclusion.

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The Latest Diversity In The Apparel Industry Statistics Explained

According to McKinsey’s 2019 report, companies in the top quartile for ethnic diversity are 36% more likely to achieve above-average profitability.

This statistic from McKinsey’s 2019 report suggests that companies with greater ethnic diversity, particularly those in the top quartile, are more likely to achieve above-average profitability. Specifically, companies in the top quartile for ethnic diversity are 36% more likely to achieve above-average profitability compared to companies with lower levels of diversity. This highlights the potential correlation between diversity and financial performance within companies, indicating that fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace can potentially lead to improved business outcomes, such as higher profitability. This statistic underscores the importance for companies to prioritize diversity and inclusion initiatives as part of their overall strategic goals in order to potentially drive better financial results.

In 2019, only 3 of the 13 largest fashion corporations in the US had a diverse executive team that spanned 50% of the total.

The statistic indicates that in 2019, out of the 13 largest fashion corporations in the US, only 3 companies had a diverse executive team that included individuals spanning 50% or more of the total team. This suggests a lack of representation and diversity at the highest levels of leadership within the majority of the top fashion corporations in the industry. The low percentage of companies with diverse executive teams highlights a potential issue of underrepresentation and lack of inclusivity in decision-making positions within these major fashion companies. This statistic underscores the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion efforts within the fashion industry to ensure a more representative and equitable leadership landscape.

As of 2021, less than 10% of decision-makers at venture capital firms in the fashion apparel industry are females.

The statistic highlights a significant gender disparity in decision-making roles within venture capital firms operating in the fashion apparel industry. With less than 10% of positions held by females, it indicates a lack of diversity and representation of women in key leadership roles where critical investment decisions are made. This disparity could have far-reaching implications for the types of fashion businesses that receive funding and the overall innovation and development within the industry. Addressing this imbalance is crucial for promoting gender equality, supporting female entrepreneurship, and ensuring a more inclusive decision-making process within the venture capital landscape of the fashion apparel industry.

Around 85% of graduates from fashion-design programs across the U.S are female, however, this gender diversity does not translate to the industry’s leadership roles.

This statistic highlights a significant gender disparity within the fashion industry, where around 85% of graduates from fashion-design programs in the U.S. are female, indicating a strong presence of women entering the field. However, despite this initial gender diversity at the entry level, it is noted that women face barriers in advancing to leadership roles within the industry. This disparity suggests that while women have equal access to educational and training opportunities, there may be systemic or cultural obstacles preventing their progression to higher-ranking positions within fashion companies. Addressing these barriers and promoting gender diversity at all levels of the industry is imperative to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for women in fashion.

According to Fashion Revolution’s 2020 Fashion Transparency Index, only five out of 250 brands published the annual gender pay gap in their supply chain.

The statistic reveals a concerning lack of transparency and accountability within the fashion industry regarding gender pay equity in supply chains. Specifically, out of 250 brands evaluated in the 2020 Fashion Transparency Index by Fashion Revolution, only five brands reported on the annual gender pay gap within their supply chains. This suggests a widespread failure within the industry to address issues of gender inequality and fair compensation for workers involved in the production of fashion goods. The findings highlight the urgent need for greater transparency, policies, and actions to ensure fair wages and equal opportunities for all individuals working in the fashion supply chain.

According to a report by the International Labor Organization, ethnic minority women in the fashion supply chain face significant wage gaps, earning as much as 30% less than their male counterparts.

The statistic provided highlights a concerning trend within the fashion supply chain, where ethnic minority women are facing substantial wage disparities compared to their male counterparts. The report by the International Labor Organization reveals that these women are earning up to 30% less than men in similar roles, underscoring systemic gender and ethnic inequality within the industry. This wage gap not only reflects economic injustice but also sheds light on broader issues related to gender and racial discrimination in the workplace. Addressing these disparities is crucial to ensuring fair and equitable treatment for all workers within the fashion supply chain and promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry.

In a study by the Fashion Spot, only 44.8% of models in the Spring 2019 fashion campaign were models of color.

In the study conducted by the Fashion Spot for the Spring 2019 fashion campaign, it was found that only 44.8% of the models featured in the campaign were models of color. This statistic implies that a significant majority of the models selected for the campaign were not from racially or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Such findings underscore the lack of representation and diversity within the fashion industry, pointing to potential issues of inclusivity and equal opportunities for models of color. This statistics highlights the importance of advocating for more diverse and inclusive representation in the fashion world to better reflect the multicultural society we live in.

Business of Fashion’s report indicates that only 15% of employees at fashion brands identify as Black.

The statistic states that according to Business of Fashion’s report, only 15% of employees working at fashion brands self-identify as Black. This finding suggests a lack of diversity and representation within the fashion industry, highlighting a significant underrepresentation of Black individuals in the workforce. The implications of this statistic may include issues such as limited opportunities for Black individuals in the fashion industry, disparities in hiring practices, and potential barriers to career advancement and inclusion for minority groups. Addressing this disparity is crucial for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the fashion sector and ensuring equal opportunities for individuals of all racial backgrounds.

In the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s 2019 insider report, only 41.6% of designers were women.

The statistic reveals that in the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s 2019 insider report, only 41.6% of the designers were women. This suggests a gender disparity within the fashion industry, where women are underrepresented in key design roles. The statistic highlights the need for increased diversity and gender equality efforts within the industry to ensure equal opportunities for both male and female designers. It also indicates a potential lack of representation and inclusion of women’s perspectives in the fashion design process, emphasizing the importance of addressing gender imbalances to foster a more inclusive and equitable industry.

Forbes reports that of the 146 fashion executives at major companies, only 15.75% are people of color.

Forbes reports that out of the 146 fashion executives at major companies, only 15.75% are people of color. This statistic indicates a significant lack of diversity within the leadership ranks of the fashion industry, with people of color being underrepresented in top executive positions. The low percentage suggests that there may be barriers to entry or advancement for individuals from diverse backgrounds within the industry, highlighting a potential need for greater inclusion and equitable opportunities to encourage diversity at the highest levels of decision-making in the fashion sector. Addressing these disparities and promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives could help foster a more representative and inclusive leadership landscape within the fashion industry.

In a survey by InStyle, 64% of women felt ignored by the fashion industry.

In a survey conducted by InStyle, it was found that 64% of women reported feeling ignored by the fashion industry. This statistic indicates a significant majority of women perceive a lack of recognition or representation in the fashion world. Such findings could suggest a broader issue of diversity and inclusivity within the industry, prompting further examination of the range of voices and perspectives being reflected in fashion design, marketing, and media. Understanding and addressing these feelings of exclusion are crucial for promoting a more inclusive and representative fashion industry that resonates with women of diverse backgrounds and experiences.

According to a report from McKinsey & Company in 2020, only 19% of designers were of Asian descent.

The statistic presented in the report from McKinsey & Company in 2020 highlights the underrepresentation of individuals of Asian descent within the field of design, with only 19% of designers identified as being of Asian descent. This statistic sheds light on a potential lack of diversity within the design industry, indicating the need for increased efforts in promoting inclusivity and representation of individuals from a wider range of backgrounds. Understanding and addressing such disparities in representation is crucial for fostering a more equitable and diverse environment within the design field, ultimately leading to more innovative and inclusive outcomes.

According to a 2021 report, only 19.3% of fashion industry leaders were female despite making up the majority of retail consumers globally.

The statistic indicates a significant gender disparity in the fashion industry leadership roles, where only 19.3% of leaders are female despite women being the majority of retail consumers worldwide. This finding highlights an imbalance in representation and opportunities for women in the fashion industry, particularly in decision-making positions. The discrepancy suggests that there are barriers or challenges that prevent women from advancing to leadership roles within the sector, which may have implications for diversity, inclusivity, and innovation in the industry. Addressing this gender gap in fashion leadership is crucial for promoting gender equality and creating a more inclusive and representative industry that reflects and caters to the diverse consumer base it serves.

In 2020, a report by the Fashion Spot found that 68.5% of model appearances in international fashion advertising campaigns were white models.

In 2020, a report by the Fashion Spot revealed that 68.5% of model appearances in international fashion advertising campaigns were white models. This statistic indicates a significant overrepresentation of white models in the fashion industry, highlighting issues of diversity and representation within the sector. The statistic suggests that there is a lack of inclusion and representation of individuals from diverse racial backgrounds in the industry’s advertising campaigns. This lack of diversity can have broader societal implications, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and limiting opportunities for non-white models. It underscores the need for greater inclusivity and representation in the fashion industry to accurately reflect the diversity of the global population and promote equality and acceptance.

A 2018 report by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) found that brands produced only 2.7 plus size clothing options on average for women.

The statistic presented by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 2018 indicates that, on average, fashion brands offer a limited selection of plus-size clothing options for women. Specifically, the report found that brands produced only 2.7 plus-size clothing options, highlighting a disparity in the availability of sizes and choices for women across the fashion industry. This statistic underscored the ongoing issue of inclusivity and representation in the fashion world, shedding light on the lack of diverse sizing options and the need for greater efforts to cater to the needs and preferences of plus-size consumers.

Reports show that only 7% of the body types represented in fashion imagery can be classified as plus-size.

The statistic reveals that only a small proportion, specifically 7%, of body types featured in fashion imagery can be categorized as plus-size. This suggests a lack of diversity and representation in the fashion industry, where smaller body types tend to dominate visual platforms such as advertising, magazine covers, and runway shows. The data points to a potential marginalization of plus-size individuals in fashion, indicating a need for greater inclusion and acceptance of different body sizes within the industry to better reflect the diversity of shapes and sizes in society. By increasing visibility and representation of plus-size models and individuals in fashion imagery, the industry could promote body positivity and create a more inclusive environment for all body types.

Only 22% of 100 fashion companies analyzed by the Fashion Revolution had released supplier lists that were detailed enough to assess diversity and inclusion.

The statistic provided indicates that out of the 100 fashion companies analyzed by the Fashion Revolution, only 22% had released supplier lists with sufficient detail for evaluating diversity and inclusion within their supply chains. This suggests that a significant majority of fashion companies are not transparent about the diversity and inclusivity practices of their suppliers, which is crucial for ensuring ethical and socially responsible production. The lack of detailed supplier lists hinders efforts to assess and address issues such as fair labor practices, worker rights, and environmental sustainability within the fashion industry. Increasing transparency and accountability in supply chains is essential for promoting greater diversity and inclusion in the fashion sector.

References

0. – https://www.www.voguebusiness.com

1. – https://www.www.instyle.com

2. – https://www.www.glamour.com

3. – https://www.www.thefashionspot.com

4. – https://www.www.mckinsey.com

5. – https://www.cfda.com

6. – https://www.www.forbes.com

7. – https://www.www.fashionrevolution.org

8. – https://www.www.ilo.org

9. – https://www.www.businessoffashion.com

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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