How to readily combat fashion’s lack of representation

The lack of representation in the fashion industry is noticeable to the people affected by it.

If you aren’t, you might be asking why is this important and how it affects you.

The answer is it is good to be aware of the media we consume. Often with mainstream media, you see a lot of the same representation and very little diversity. This doesn’t represent an accurate view of things and can often distort how we view the world.

The fashion world often leaves out people of color, different sizes, genders, religions, sexualities and heights. All are important factors when you look at what clothing is being mass-produced.

It can also lead to mistreatment in the fashion industry, often making it seem that you must fit a specific look to be fashionable. As time goes on, we are starting to see the media reflect what we see daily, but the fashion industry is taking its time to catch up.

Now, you might not be able to change everything. Still, if you want to find out more about what is being done, a great website is “Fashion Minority Alliance.” They call out harmful brands that aren’t staying true to their words and provide jobs for people searching in the fashion industry.

We can also help by being aware of the brands we are consuming and providing information for others who might need help finding certain pieces. Right on campus, we have an excellent outlet for finding clothes to help others: the Gender Affirmation Closet, located in the Lavender Lounge (Murray Hall).

Another excellent place for finding clothes that match closer to your personal style is online.

A couple of my favorites are Jolie Noire, Loud Bodies, Nubian Skin and Label By Three. Jolie Noire is a great place to find casual clothing and loungewear. They are a Black-owned business dedicated to providing comfortable clothing with a size range of XS-3XL.

Loud Bodies is on the more expensive side; however, if you are looking for fancy dresses, they have some stunning pieces along with other clothing as well. Their sizes range from an XXS-10XL, and they pride themselves on being a sustainable brand.

Nubian Skin includes a large range of skin tone tights and shapewear. They are Black-owned and range in sizes that vary for different products.

The last business I will recommend is Label By Three which focuses on minimalism, sustainability and versatility. The brand is run by three sisters who also have a couple of thrift pieces listed on their website.

Of course, there are plenty of stores around Minn. Still, not everyone has a car on campus, so online stores can be a more accessible option.

Even when there is still a large lack of representation in the fashion industry, brands want to be discovered, and the list could go on. However, this is where I leave you.