theFashionSpot’s Fall 2016 Season Diversity Report: Despite Gains, Runways Were Less Than 25% Diverse

~ Data from 312 International Shows and 8,727 Model Castings Reveals
London Only City Less Diverse Than Last Season While New York Leads Four
Seasons in a Row ~

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The numbers are in: TotallyHer Media’s theFashionSpot,
the web’s largest fashion-focused community and editorial site, has
released its annual Diversity Report on the Fall 2016 runway shows in
New York, London, Paris, and Milan. Surveying 312 shows and 8,727 model
appearances, theFashionSpot examined the race, age, size, and gender
identity of runway show casts to determine how much diversity in the
fashion industry has grown this year. Just over 75% of all models cast
were white, and the numbers have been improving gradually — 77.6% white
models were reported for Spring 2016, and 80% white models were reported
for the previous Fall 2015. While the runways are gradually becoming
more racially diverse, models of color were featured less than 25% of
the time and plus-size, transgender, and “aged” models (over age 50)
continue to be underrepresented.

“There is still significant work to be done to eradicate the message of
exclusion,” said Jennifer Davidson, Managing Editor for
theFashionSpot.com, part of TotallyHer, an Evolve Media company. “As our
reports have been showing season after season, change is coming ever so
slowly.”

As theFashionSpot’s Fall 2016 Diversity Report points out, New
York-based designer Zac
Posen made a powerful declaration that “Black Models Matter” by
hiring an inclusive cast to model his collection, itself a tribute to a
woman of color (the first East African woman to be admitted to the
English bar, Princess Elizabeth of Toro). However, in Paris, one of the
brightest stars in the industry, Demna Gvasalia, only hired one nonwhite
model to walk the
runway at Balenciaga, as if the racial makeup of his cast was an
afterthought. Milan did not cast any plus-size, transgender, or models
over 50.

On a positive note, a shift toward inclusion on the runway was most
visible at H&M Studio. Among the cast that walked at the Swedish fashion
chain’s presentation was transgender, nonwhite, plus-size and aged
models. When asked about the theme of the collection, Ann-Sofie
Johansson, H&M creative advisor, said,
“This collection is about the strength and beauty of women, and how we
express that power through our style.”

Below are highlights from theFashionSpot’s Fall 2016 Runway
Diversity Report. The entire report and accompanying infographic can
be found here: http://www.thefashionspot.com/runway-news/685109-runway-diversity-report-fall-2016/

Racial Diversity:

• Of all four cities surveyed, 75.25% of the models cast were white.
  While a slight increase over Spring 2016, which was 77.6 white and
  Fall 2015 (80% white), it still means less than 25% were models of
  color.
• New York shows were the most racially diverse with 31.9% models
  of color.
• Milan and Paris have seen slight improvements season over season
  since Spring 2015.
• London is the only city less diverse than prior seasons (Spring
  2016 and Fall 2015).
• Most Diverse Shows: Yeezy Season 3 (100% MOC), Zac Posen (87%
  MOC), Chromat (85% MOC), Talbot Runhof (60% MOC) and Sophie Theallet
  (54% MOC).
• Least Diverse Shows: Junya Watanabe (0% MOC), Moon Young Hee
  (0% MOC), Comme des Garçons (0% MOC), Balenciaga (2% MOC), and Ann
  Demeulemeester (4% MOC).

Size:

• Body diversity continues to lag far behind racial inclusion. Of
  all the shows, there were only six plus-sized model appearances (four
  in New York and two in Paris) versus 14 plus-sized models from Spring
  2016.
• Plus-size models were the least represented group for Fall 2016.

Transgender:

• Transgender models had a slight increase from Spring 2016.
• Eight transgender models were cast in New York, Paris and London with
  none in Milan.

Age:

• There was an increase in models over age 50 since Spring 2016. Eleven
  models over 50 walked the runaway versus only five last season.

About theFashionSpot

Originating in July 2001, theFashionSpot (www.theFashionSpot.com)
made a name for itself as an invitation-only community of designers,
stylists and fashionistas that dissected designer collections,
celebrating some and skewering others. Building on the largest
fashion-focused community on the web, theFashionSpot.com
has grown into a respected fashion editorial site with a strong and
active community element. TheFashionSpot is part of the TotallyHer
Beauty and Style Portfolio, reaching nearly 13 million unique visitors
(comScore, May 2015). With close to 70,000 invitation-only members
playing an active role in the site’s forum, theFashionSpot encompasses
the largest community of authentic fashion influencers online. In 2015
theFashionSpot was recognized once again by MediaPost’s OMMA Awards for
website excellence in fashion and beauty. Recent brand advertisers
include Macy’s, Tresemme, Anne Klein, P&G, Kraft, Coach, Revlon, Weight
Watchers, and more. theFashionSpot is part of TotallyHer, an Evolve
Media (www.evolvemediallc.com)
company.

Contacts

The Rosen Group
Thomas Giordonello, 212-255-8455
Thomas@rosengrouppr.com