Fashion is not just clothes . It is something bigger – it shapes one’s identity, confidence, and how society percieves people at the first glance. Fashion is a langauge through which we communicate our beliefs , morals , values , circumstances and our preferences. For years , the industry mostly showcased one body type , one skin tone , one version of “ beauty“. This worked out for them – they disguised their limited sizing , narrow target market , and the lack of diversity behind their decisions , making it seem like exclusion was the norm rather than a business choice. It was an easy choice to outcast most of the audience they claimed to serve because the industry was built around a narrow definition of who mattered economically. Instead of adjusting to the diversity of consumers , brands had glorified a single and carefully constructed standard and made people feel like they had to chase it. This ” aspirational marketing” strategy shifted the pressure on to the public , convincing them to fit product , rather making the product fit them.
Now finally brands are showing diversity. This is beacuse Gen Z and younger consumers expect inclusivity , and when a brand fails to represent real people they face instant backlash online. While we may assume that brands are incorporating inclusivity purely for moral and value based reasons , but we often over look the real agenda behidn these shits – to expand their markets and increase sales. With diverse products ranges, customers feel more seen and are more likely to buy the product. Social media has undoubtedly accelerated this shift by exposing exclusion quickly and publicly , forcing brands to adapt if they want to protect their brand reputation . With more diverse voices working with big fashion houses , brands are finally starting to recognise that representation isn’t just a “trend” ,or a moral choice , rather its a smart , long term business strategy.
Going beyond profit motives , brands are also responidng to a shift cultural power occuring due to the gradual rise of social media – consumers now have louder voiced than ever. For years , fashion companies have controlled the narrative , deciding who was ” in” and who was’nt. Nowadays , that power has really moved into the hands of audiences who shape trends through social media platforms , call out exclusion and elevate diverse creators. Lets just say , brands aren’t just adjusting to look progressive ; they are adjusting because they no longer have the authority to define beauty on their own terms. It’s like inclusivity has become a negotiation between communities and companies , pushing the industry to evolve from a top – down system to one where representation is shaped by real people , not just marketing teams.
The conscious edit 