Overcoming Exclusion and Discrimination in Fashion: An Exploratory Study on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Initiatives

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) initiatives are becoming an increasingly popular choice by fashion industry brands and companies in efforts to eliminate discrimination and unconscious racial bias in a professional capacity. This study explores the various motivations behind implementing these initiatives among a growing diverse workforce in a socially conscious era. Using a qualitative approach grounded in Critical Race Theory and Discursive Semiotics and interviewing four participants with experience working in the fashion industry, the research examines the efficacy of DEI initiatives. Including a comparative analysis on current DEI tactics employed by popular fashion brands Gucci and Ralph Lauren Corporation. The study reveals that popular tactics utilized while discrimination and unconscious bias are an industry concern are superficial in nature. For DEI initiatives to be successful in their goals, a long-term commitment must be made and implemented on all horizontal and vertical levels of a company to ensure its efficacy.