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The visceral response to the killing of George Floyd and others victims of police brutality is driving some fashion organizations, denim brands and streetwear designers to examine how they can help foster racial equality and social justice within their own companies and beyond.
As worldwide protest fill the streets in Los Angeles, New York City, Amsterdam, London, Paris and more amid the COVID-19 pandemic, players in the fashion sector are beginning to release statements about their next steps to help eliminate racism in the industry.
The CFDA recently announced it will create an in-house employment program specifically charged with placing black talent in all sectors of the fashion business to help achieve a racially balanced industry.
The program will be tasked with identifying black creatives and pairing these individuals with companies looking to hire. Mentorship and internship programs focused on placing black students and new graduates will take shape.
The organization stated that it will also make “immediate contributions and take up fundraising activities in support of charitable organizations aimed at equalizing the playing field for the black community.”
“We urge each and every member of the CFDA to take stock of their corporate structure to ensure that they have a racially balanced workforce and we challenge the retail sector of the fashion industry to ensure that their roster of brands and their product assortment is representative of the Black talent within the industry,” CFDA chairman Tom Ford wrote in a statement.
In a blog post titled, “We Have Failed,” Noah cofounder Brendon Babenzien said he has neglected to check in with his team, which undermined their grief.
“Our belief at Noah is that admitting ignorance is the most intelligent thing you can do. It means you can accept that you don’t know everything and start building real knowledge,” he stated, adding that the company intends to “listen and activate” in order to play a role in driving positive change.
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