The British Fashion Council has announced the launch of its Diversity
and Inclusion Steering Committee as part of its “long-term plan to fight
prejudice and discrimination and galvanise the industry into action”.
The committee is made up of industry and British Fashion Council
representatives and its role will be to address “key challenges facing
minority communities in gaining fair representation” in fashion.
The priority work of the committee will be to “stamp out racism,”
explained the British Fashion Council in a statement, as well as address
the “specific challenges each minority community faces within the fashion
industry”.
The committee will work as part of the Institute of Positive Fashion
(IPF) to ensure accountability and best practice for all fashion businesses
and will operate alongside the wider British Fashion Council team to
address existing programmes.
Ahead of London Fashion Week, which kicks off today, September 17, the
committee issued its mission statement: “The Diversity and Inclusion
Steering Committee aspires for the fashion industry to be open for all and
reflect the diverse, global communities it inspires and serves.
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“The Committee aims to reach this ambition by bringing together leaders
in business, culture and education to create a framework which will build
better, broader engagement and access for all under-represented groups;
creating more opportunities and driving greater diversity throughout the
industry.
“Its ambition is to create true equity, increase diversity and
inclusion and provide a platform to role models who will inspire future
generations.”
British Fashion Council to fight prejudice and discriminations with new
steering committee
In year one, the committee has set itself three tasks, including the
creation of a diversity and inclusion framework for fashion businesses of
all sizes to implement to reach global leading standards. The British
Fashion Council added that it will support businesses by providing
practical advice and toolkits to ensure organisations can create change and
measure their successes.
In addition, it will ensure development programmes “are fair and
equitable for all”. With the British Fashion Council stating that they will
review all its current programmes, from scholarships to fashion weeks, as
well as look at Talent ID programmes and networks to ensure that “diverse
perspectives and voices are heard during selection processes”.
The final task is to create inclusive cultures. The committee explained
that the need for inclusive representation has never been higher and the
British Fashion Council will challenge and address racism, prejudice and
biases.
The fashion organisation will also promote allyship by providing
toolkits that will support both businesses and individuals and
address barriers to entry and career progression for underrepresented
groups and, specifically, support the development of resources to recognise
the influence of black culture on the fashion industry.
The Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee is made up of industry
and BFC representatives including Andrew Ibi, designer/artist/educator;
Barbara Kennedy-Brown, founder, The Fashion Minority Alliance; Burberry;
British Fashion Council; Chinazo Ufodiama, brand and communications
consultant; Dal Chodha, editor and writer; Daniel Comrie, senior creative
agent, Elite; Daniel Peters, founder, The Fashion Minority; Jaye Thompson,
senior director global PR, Tiffany and Co.; June Sarpong, director of
creative diversity, BBC; Karen Binns, stylist; Kenya Hunt, fashion
director, Grazia; Lynda Petherick, head of retail, Accenture; Nina Goswami,
creative diversity lead, BBC; Osman Yousefzada, creative director, Osman
London; Priya Ahluwalia, creative director, Ahluwalia; Sheena Sauvaire,
chief marketing officer, Net-A-Porter; Sinead Burke, activist; Toni-Blaze
Ibekwe, editor-in-chief, Wonderland; Zadrian Smith, international fashion
director.
This is the latest move from the British Fashion Council to fight
prejudice and discrimination, as part of its pledge in June to “double” its
effort to tackle systemic racism within the fashion industry, following the
Black Lives Matter protests.
Since June, the British Fashion Council notes that it has appointed
three new non-executive directors to its executive board, including June
Sarpong, director of creative diversity at the BBC, as well as introduce
diversity monitoring of initiatives and business support programmes, and
host fortnightly calls with the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic fashion
community while developing its Diversity and Inclusion Steering
Committee.
Image: courtesy of British Fashion Council – London Fashion Week