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By SPESA
Below is a compilation of news articles from the past few months that explore topics related to diversity and inclusion in the sewn products industry.
There is a clear correlation between diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and performance: companies with the most ethnically and culturally varied executive teams are 33% more likely to outperform homogeneous competitors with regard to profitability. In 2020, the fashion industry ramped up its efforts to rethink its approach to DEI. This article explores “what comes next.”
How to Build a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce as a Small Business - Business Insider - October 2020 Diversity and inclusion departments and initiatives have become a must-have at large corporations over the last few years, but equitable workplaces aren't just for big companies. It's important for small businesses to hire a diverse workforce and foster an inclusive atmosphere as well if they want to maintain top talent. Equity is a virtue in and of itself, but research also shows that diverse teams lead to more innovation and higher employee satisfaction.
6 Ways Diversity and Inclusion Will Change This Year - Fast Company - February 2021 When it comes to DEI, knowledge of the problem isn’t enough. In order to begin to see true change, companies will have to roll up their sleeves and get to the messy, everyday work of inclusion. Last year was about awareness and education of racist systems: studying terms, memorizing acronyms, and labeling behaviors. This will be the year where to put that newfound knowledge into action.
Why Addressing Diversity in Your Supply Chain Can Pay Off - Sourcing Journal - December 2020 Prompted by movements including Black Lives Matter and Me Too, brands are showing their support through goals for greater supplier diversity. This article focuses on the importance of diversity throughout the supply chain, touching on the potential economic benefits as well as the overall positive societal impact.
Twenty percent of people working in creative industries, including fashion, are neurodivergent, managing often invisible conditions that shape how they engage with the world. The term neurodivergent (as opposed to neurotypical) covers a range of natural neurological variations, from autism and ADHD to Tourette’s. This article explains how the industry can better serve this group and reap the benefit of their talents.
Despite denim’s ties to the Black community (from African slave trade to workers to revolutionaries), the industry lacks sufficient representation throughout the supply chain, which, in turn, has created a breeding ground for both conscious and unconscious bias. This article highlights several companies attempting to address the problem.
Is Fashion Finally Addressing its Diversity Problem? - Raconteur - October 2020 The fashion industry has long been called out for cultural appropriation, racist advertising, and its blatant lack of diversity across campaigns, catwalks and behind the lens. Whatever happens next in fashion, one thing is certain: the world will be watching every single move.
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