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Wednesday, 05 August 2020 15:02

Diversity List illustrates sector’s lack of inclusivity

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Tara Donalson, Editorial Director, Sourcing Journal along with senior designer Celena Tang, launched The Diversity List, an interactive site to illustrate the sector’s lack of inclusivity. Pulling data from fashion companies’ investor relations websites, social media posts and various publicly released reports, the site provides a concise breakdown of 100 of the industry’s top brands and fashion firms, from Nike to Anthropologie, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Ralph Lauren, The RealReal and more.

The graphics show the ethnic and gender breakdowns of their workforces by percentage—from board members and executives through retail and distribution center workers. The graphics are presented alongside many of these companies’ recent commitments to diversity and inclusion in the wake of nationwide civil unrest—sometimes drawing a contrast between promises and reality.

Some private companies included on the list do not share diversity numbers publicly, but Donaldson hopes The Diversity List will encourage them to take steps toward transparency even if they’re not required to. Other companies have undoubtedly put work into creating inclusive teams, and notably their efforts were reflected in their public-facing statements in recent months.

Donaldson also noted that a company’s workforce often seems to reflect its surroundings, to some degree. Kobe-based footwear brand Asics has a workforce that is 95 percent Japanese. Still, many American brands’ workforces don’t mirror their diverse consumer bases. Brands like Athleta, Banana Republic, Coach, Everlane, Gap, etc have more than half white employees with only few brands having people of color on their boards or in executive leadership roles.