AMANDA MURRAY ON EQUITY in FASHION

“Equity within the fashion industry means to me that the color of my skin won’t determine the perception of who I am and what I am capable of doing. Equity in fashion means to me that my ideas will be received and acknowledged with just as much importance as my white counterparts, and not only considered to give advice when something goes wrong. Equity in fashion means to me that brands will be more meaningful in their approach to black customers instead of pandering because of the Black buying power. Equity in fashion means to me, seeing black people at the helm in senior leadership positions. Equity in fashion means to me that one day I won’t have that internal dialogue of asking myself, ‘Is it because I’m black?’ I’ve said this a million times but I truly believe that the CFDA and the British Fashion Council should be able to hold companies and brands in the fashion industry accountable when they do wrong. At this point, there need to be regulations in fashion. As the sole governing bodies of the fashion industry, I would like to see a more serious approach to the racist antics that are currently going on. If FIFA, NBA and the NFL can fine players/team owners and make impactful decisions on their future. why can’t there be a similar in approach in fashion? All of these brands and their outrage marketing tactics should be fined.”

—Amanda Murray, Personal Stylist and Branding Consulting