A new report by the Council of Fashion Designers of America accuses the fashion industry of favoring white men for executive roles. The report states, 63 per cent of the blacks reported low appointment in executive positions, leading to an increase in pressure to perform and represent their identity.

Titled State of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the report said that 57 per cent of black fashion industry employees believed their company was doing enough when it came to racial and gender inclusivity, compared to 77 per cent of their white colleagues. Less than half of black employees urged for inclusivity measures to bring about a permanent change.

Around 37 per cent black employees reported supplementing their income compared with just 23 per cent of their white counterparts. The study also found that the low-paying nature of internships affected black employees’ subsequent chances of employment. The report surveyed 1,000 fashion industry professionals, across 41 companies and three focus groups, during the autumn of 2020.