Racial equity is not a trend

For Graduate Fashion Week 2024, we asked visitors and students to “face the question”. The eight questions provided a tool that engaged our stand visitors in reflective conversations about race equity in the context of the British higher education sector and the global fashion industry. Guests were invited to write down their responses to one of the questions; these responses will be used to inform some of the upcoming educational action focussed work of FACE

A collection of comments taken at our GFW stand

Whilst on the FACE stand at Graduate fashion week, we asked our students their thoughts on a series of questions. These are displayed below. The numbers correspond to the questions they answered.

3. I would like to see more people talk about how hard it is for a person of colour to grow in the industry and those that have successfully, should talk to those students and advise them on ways of getting there. Maybe through a fashion platform.

8. I  think universities should implement a larger range of ethnicicites in reguards to tutors judging the work and giving feedback on the work. By doing that you will have a range of different people that have been exposed to different cultures which will make students feel more heard and give them more options of people they feel comfortable to come to if they feel like a misjustice happens. 

2. Students who want to explore their culture shouldn’t be pushed to explore being a child of diaspora. Being a child of diaspora is a complex mix of emotions which can lead to exciting and riveting design concepts but if People of Colour don’t want to be put in this box they shouldn’t be pushed!

4. I think there is limited awareness and little done within current fashion curricular to address issues of race and diversity.

5.  I would like to see more opportunities for Black and Brown students to explore these issues more openly within their work and allow for this to prompt the education for non white students also.

3. I think more of a platform for more educators of race and how their lifestyle, background and culture affects them to be spiches an dhow themselves can be an innovation xxxxx for fashion

To have someone who can understand and sympathise in your ideas and experiences.To be able to have a way to relate with someone.

3. More inclusive material concerning Hispanic culture excluding Mexico

3. More minority lecturers \ Studying V small brands in small countries | Do not just follow big brands.

7. Racial Equity and Inclusivity is not a trend that goes in and out of fashion. It should be constant.

7. My feedback is that brand can choose models from different ethnicity groups in their model selection and use different ethnic culture as source of inspiration.

7. I would like to see an increase in foreign traditional techniques within the fashion industry as it would promote greater race equality. British nottingham

14. Not well enough. Its something everyone is aware of but not spoken about enough. Its always mentioned but not spoken about enough. They implement inclusive schemes then do nothing but segregate certain people (POC) even further

6. We could have more international teachers for a broad perspective. Try to be more helpful to international students, understanding and embracing the difference in culture.

1. Equality. Fashion like many other industries is self promoted and quite frankly is populated by undereducated people in it for themselves which is OK, but lack respectful understanding of individual sense of pride is a downfall.

No number. So ideas can be understood if they follow certain inspirations. The equality is important as it helps to see people in the industry that have similar experiences as you, more of a personal understanding.

No number. I think the current fashion curricular addresses race much better than it used to. I hope more Black and Brown brands can continue to be recognised as it is still hard to do so. Even more recognition in the media will help this and more eduction from a younger age will help more peopel be aware.

No number. To have representation that is not culturally appropriated by capitalism but rather appreciated and acknowledged for there to be representation will allow open doors to diversity and respect.

2. Lack of diverse teachers. If students were being taught by people with different cultures, it would be easier for them to understand artists and creators with similar backgrounds.

3. I would like to see more cultured fabric lessons either in person on online because everything everywhere is beautiful but we aren’t educated on it nor the techniques. British Welsh

4. There is progress but not enough. Definitely room for improvement. I appreciate the inclusive schemes but it feels like segregation for certain people and boxing us into groups.

6. Both students and professionals could do more research on different cultures in fashion to provide more support to the needs of everyone to show inclusivity. I am White British

2. Not being considered for anything else but inclusive schemes. Being told to do the usual stereotypical concepts. Being seen as a Black designer and not just a designer.

 3. Having more tutors and mentors within the university environment that can relate to more of the student base and can understand on a personal level. This would allow for more students to flourish and achieve higher as they can receive that relevant and accurate feedback – in turn bettering their work.  Also  Q.1 Lack of edication, nobody can releate to everybody as we all experience different things in life and having those voices that can speak for different ethnicities allows for more students to be heard.

3. Stop polarising. Nothing is Black and White

3. I would like for there to be more classes or more information about the techniques in fashion from areas all around the world. Zimbabwe

1. People don’t realise that just because a brand showcases a Person of Colour person at the front of their company, this does not show the lack of jobs given to the lesser seen voices of the industry.

1. Trends: people need to educate more and not follow short lived trends.

2. The need for code switching in professional environments.

6. More conversations brings awareness.

2. Looking as an Asian, Tutors have assumed that I am from China and also because English is not my first language, communication was hard with some of them. I felt like they were less helpful and did not really try to know me and understand.

7. Try to go further. Do it authentically, include more People of Colour but not only for the image of the brand. Maybe hire diversity influencers.

8. I would like to see more workshops hosted by People of Colour. I’d like to learn from their experiences. I’d like their voices to be amplified as we most certainly didn’t have that opportunity while I was studying.

1. It’s maybe that there is an imbalance in representation of people of different races. The lack of minority representation contributes to this barrier.

 FACE THE QUESTION

1.What are the barriers preventing race equity in fashion academia or the fashion industry?

2.Have you experienced or witnessed any race-related challenges in academia or the fashion industry?

3.How well do you think current fashion curricula addresses issues of race and diversity?

4.What changes would you like to see in fashion education to promote greater race equity?

5. What topics related to race equity would you like to see more emphasis on in fashion education?

6. How can students and professionals in fashion, work together to foster a more inclusive environment?

7. What feedback would you give to fashion institutions or brands regarding their race equity efforts?

8. What policies or initiatives would you like to see implemented within universities to support race equity?

Gavin Douglas
Senior Academic, FACE Member of Council, Academic Trustee - Graduate Fashion Foundation