Fashion's Frustration: An army of Clones at the Top

The fashion world is buzzing once more, and this time it's not about the latest trend or hot new collection. Instead, the chatter revolves around a recurring theme: the striking lack of diversity among fashion's top designers. The recent announcement by Moschino of Davide Renne as its new designer, succeeding Jeremy Scott, has reignited this conversation. With two decades at Gucci under his belt, working alongside Frida Giannini and Alessandro Michele, Renne brings immense experience to Moschino. Yet, his appointment also underlines an uncomfortable truth: He's another white male in a sea of similar appointments.

This isn't an isolated incident. Brands like Gucci, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, Brioni, and Alexander McQueen are all currently led by white male designers. The similarities don't end at gender and race; many even sport nearly identical haircuts.

The reactions have been swift and varied, from disappointment to amusement to outright frustration. But what's clear is that many are yearning for a shift in representation at the helm of the fashion industry. For a deeper dive into the immediate reactions of the fashion community, take a look at this post which garnered significant attention on LinkedIn:

A Glimpse into the Comments:

• "Seriously, they are all the same person with different haircut! ??"
• "Seems like the fashion conglomerates just copy/paste them FR."
• "It is beyond bizarre!"
• "They all look the same ??"
• "Lol at a White males ??"

From the array of emojis, from the sleepy ?? to the laughing ?? to the downright disgusted ??, it's evident that many are weary of the same narrative playing out again and again.

Women and the Fashion Industry:

What's particularly striking is the industry's continued sidelining of women, especially given that women constitute a significant portion of fashion's consumer base. One user poignantly remarked, "The industry profits off of women but still won't put women in place of power. It's so unfair."

Another brought attention to the quality of clothing: "Maybe if more women were designing clothing, we would have clothing that actually fit our curves and the anorexic model look would go out of style."

Is it Talent or Opportunity?

One user posed a series of pressing questions: "Is that because women are not 'the best man' for the job? Are we then saying that men are more talented than women? Or maybe management gives the roles to people more similar to themselves (men?)? And if we want to say that men are more talented than women, why is that?"

A Call for Change:

However, amidst the frustration, some have called for action. One user suggested, "We could also purchase from existing brands run by women," listing several women-led brands. Another proposed, "Stop wearing women's clothing that wasn't designed by women. And maybe we'll get some pockets out of it too!"

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In Conclusion:

The fashion industry, like many sectors, is a reflection of broader societal structures. But with its influence and reach, it has the power to set trends not just in clothing but in representation and inclusivity. The question remains: will the industry seize the moment and make a lasting change, or will it continue with business as usual?

#Diversity? #fashion #genderequality #FashionIndustry