The Black in Fashion Council officially launched last week, announcing 38 partner companies across the fashion and beauty industry.
Late June this year, two fashion insiders announced an new initiative for inclusivity. The Black in Fashion Council (BIFC) was founded by Teen Vogue’s editor in chief Lindsay Peoples Wagner and Sandrine Charles, a public relations expert.
Above all, BIFC aims to represent and secure the advancement of long-term change in workforces. They clarify that they want to encourage people in the industry to ‘rise to the occasion’. The foundation was created by numerous members. These include group editors, models, stylists, media executives, assistants, freelance creatives and industry stakeholders. In short, BIFC hopes non-Black brands, publications and people of influence examine whether they have played in helping or hurting Black employees.
Adding on, Peoples Wagner says,
“We want to give industry stakeholders the chance to have conversations, to be given the tools and resources to make the changes that need to occur instead of shaming them into it.”
BIFC officially launched last week, alongside 38 global partners ranging from the fashion and beauty industries. To name some, Calvin Klein, Fashionista, Glossier, Tiffany & CO. and Universal Standard. Alongside the Human Rights Campaign, these companies have all pledged to work with the council for the next three years. They will ensure that existing and new policies ensure inclusivity within corporate structures.
BIFC’s statement claims:
“Executive board members will be having conversations with industry stakeholders starting in August 2020 to allow brands to fully understand the complex ways in which we all need to commit to making inclusivity the lens in which we see everything, and have the opportunity to rise to the occasion of making changes over the next three years as we know this is a process that takes time.”
In addition, there is a membership scheme for Black individuals who work at fashion. There will be a $50 cost for assistant membership and $100 for general manager membership. Those wishing to apply can do so on the BIFC website.
In order to find out more, check out the BIPC website here.
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