Inclusivity and diversity: here are two notions that have been talked about in the fashion industry over the past ten years. In practice, however, their treatment, particularly by the media and politics, is still often superficial.
However, in the era of eco-responsibility, including people from diverse social backgrounds, both in brand communication campaigns and in company teams, is a significant issue on which the fashion industry must progress, one and the other being inseparable.
Environmental issues are intrinsically linked to social problems. This is all the more true if one considers that the objective of ecology is the protection of all living things, which is why it cannot exclude humans.
This articulation is found in the reflections on an eco-responsible fashion. Let’s take the example of textile pollution, where the used clothes of Western consumers are sent to markets in Ghana, making certain places open-air textile dumps. We understand that it is a question of both an ecological problem, linked to overproduction, but also a colonial dynamic from the countries “of the North” towards those “of the South”.
To understand and solve these complex challenges, brands need diverse expertise and perspectives within their teams.
Sustainable fashion wants to promote ecology to encourage global change. But how to reach a large number of people if the majority of the population is not represented in the images of ethical brands? We can cite a reproach often made to them: not offering “large sizes”, while 58.1% of French women are a size 42 and more, against 1.4% of a size 34.
Eco-responsible fashion runs the risk of seeing this clientele turn, for lack of an alternative, to ultra-fast-fashion brands, the latter having clearly understood that a marketing opportunity was at hand, given the diversity of body has long been overlooked by the rest of the industry. Committed brands face a real economic dilemma, because producing sustainable clothing is expensive, increasing their price for the consumer. A feeling of social and financial exclusion can therefore be generated by a clientele who would like to “do well” but does not have the means.
To prove their good faith, brands have developed the “ticket” technique: a receipt that shows customers all of their charges and their small margin. Thus, they indicate that if they cannot be 100% socially inclusive, they do their best to find a balance between diversity and ethical production.
Other solutions: vintage and second-hand, which for many have become essential alternatives.