How the Black Lives Matter movement is affecting the fashion industry: Fashion’s BLM Akshita Singhvi March 24, 2023 Fashion 235 Introduction When it comes to fashion, the industry has always been criticized for being white and elitist. But that’s changing. The Black Lives Matter movement is affecting the very makeup of the fashion industry, which is becoming more inclusive and diverse by the day. When it comes to fashion, the industry has always been criticized for being white and elitist. When it comes to fashion, there has been a long-standing criticism of the industry for being predominantly white and elitist. However, with the rise and evolution of the Black Lives Matter movement, it has started to influence how designers approach their work. Designer Tom Ford, for example, cited the movement as an inspiration when creating his fall 2017 collection. “I think about these things in terms of my own life and what’s happening around me,” he said. “And there’s no doubt that those issues are now affecting us all.” Some businesses have taken a stand on social justice issues, including GAP Inc., Levi’s Co., Nike Inc., Ralph Lauren Corp., Under Armour Inc., Calvin Klein Cos Inc., Adidas AG, and Lululemon Athletica Inc. While some designers are hesitant to discuss their political beliefs out of concern for losing clients or becoming unpopular within their industry. They have either supported or criticized government policies through advertisements, such as posting signs inside stores welcoming refugees after President Trump’s travel ban or releasing an ad featuring a transgender model wearing the brand’s famous denim jeans. Writing an essay about blm in fashion can bring attention to these important issues and help spark more discussions on the topic show that fashion brands can and should use their platforms to support causes such as the Black Lives Matter movement and inspire change. The Black Lives Matter movement has made a huge impact on fashion. Founded in 2013, BLM is a civil rights movement that aims to raise awareness of racial injustice and advocate for black empowerment. The group gained national attention after it became involved with other protest groups like Occupy Wall Street, which began in 2011 as an anti-capitalist movement but soon turned into something else entirely. It’s unclear where the name Black Lives Matter originated. Some say it came from an Alicia Keys song or from a hashtag used by activists online, others say it was created by Patrisse Cullors (one of the three founders) when she used it in 2013 during protests following Trayvon Martin’s death at the hands of George Zimmerman while he was walking home from buying candy at 7-Eleven with his girlfriend Samantha Scheibner. Regardless how exactly “Black Lives Matter” came about, one thing is certain: You’ve probably seen those three words somewhere before! Fashion is becoming more inclusive of people of color. As the Black Lives Matter movement has gained traction, it’s brought attention to the lack of diversity in fashion magazines and shows. In response, designers have been incorporating more models of color into their collections–and consumers have responded positively by purchasing those clothes. But there are still many barriers to overcome before we see full inclusion within the industry: only 0.4 percent of models booked for runway shows in New York City were black women last season. At Vogue’s 2018 Fashion Week coverage, only one out of every five models was black, less than 5 percent of editors at major publications are people of color, and only two percent of designers featured on Project Runway were African American (the show has since been canceled). The fashion industry is working harder to address racial inequality head-on. The fashion industry has been criticized for being white and elitist. It’s no secret that the majority of models are Caucasian, but it wasn’t until recently that many brands began to realize that there was something wrong with this picture. In fact, some would argue that there still isn’t enough diversity within the industry, and they may be right! The Black Lives Matter movement has made a huge impact on fashion because it has forced brands to question their practices when it comes to race relations and representation within their ads and campaigns. While some companies have handled this well (for example, Kent State University recently released an ad campaign featuring black models wearing their school uniforms), others have struggled mightily with how best to represent themselves in this new era of activism against racial inequality. The fashion industry has a long way to go in terms of diversity, and it will be interesting to see how brands continue to evolve in this area. Conclusion The Black Lives Matter movement has changed the face of fashion forever. For too long, it was seen as an elitist industry that only catered to white people. However, thanks to activists like Tarek El-Messidi and others who have spoken out against this injustice, fashion is becoming more inclusive of minorities and people of color. This is a positive step towards making sure everyone feels welcome in our society, regardless of their race or gender identity! SHARE THIS POST