Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
As of 2021, approximately 85% of fashion design students are women, but only about 14% of major fashion brands are led by female designers
Women make up 70% of the total workforce in the fashion industry globally, but only 25% hold senior leadership roles
In 2020, only 2 of the 10 top global fashion houses were headed by female creative directors
Less than 10% of fashion designers at major US-based luxury fashion brands are non-white women
In a 2019 survey, 61% of fashion industry employees wanted to see more gender diversity in leadership roles
Female fashion design graduates represent over 80% of students at top design schools such as Parsons and FIT
In 2020, only 40% of luxury fashion designer roles in Europe were held by women
Among designers featured at New York Fashion Week in 2022, only 17% identified as non-male
In 2021, only 14% of fashion CEOs in the Fortune 500 were women, despite the industry workforce being majority-female
A 2018 Fashion Spot report found that only 36.7% of New York Fashion Week designers were women that season
79% of respondents in a 2020 survey believed that men have an advantage in being promoted to creative director roles in fashion
In British fashion houses, only 13% of top designer roles were held by women as of 2020
As of 2021, women account for roughly 50% of fashion design job postings in the U.S., while men occupy nearly 70% of designer roles
Leadership & Executive Roles
- As of 2021, approximately 85% of fashion design students are women, but only about 14% of major fashion brands are led by female designers
- Women make up 70% of the total workforce in the fashion industry globally, but only 25% hold senior leadership roles
- In 2020, only 2 of the 10 top global fashion houses were headed by female creative directors
- In a 2019 survey, 61% of fashion industry employees wanted to see more gender diversity in leadership roles
- In 2021, only 14% of fashion CEOs in the Fortune 500 were women, despite the industry workforce being majority-female
- 79% of respondents in a 2020 survey believed that men have an advantage in being promoted to creative director roles in fashion
- In British fashion houses, only 13% of top designer roles were held by women as of 2020
- Among the 50 biggest fashion brands globally, only 8 brands had female head designers in 2022
- 92% of the fashion houses run by LVMH in 2021 had male creative directors
- A 2019 study found that men are 30% more likely to be hired in senior fashion design roles even with equal qualifications
- Women make up over 60% of total employees in the fashion design sector, but only 21% of board positions at fashion companies
- The Global Fashion Agenda reported in 2022 that less than 15% of decision-making roles in fashion are held by women
- Half of all finalists in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund from 2010–2020 were women, yet only 30% went on to helm major brands
- A 2021 report by Deloitte showed fashion companies with female-led design teams had 10% higher revenue growth
- Only 6 women have led major couture houses in Paris over the past 50 years
- Only 4 women have ever been named head designer at Dior since its founding in 1946
Interpretation
In an industry stitched together by women’s talent and labor, fashion’s leadership seams still unravel with a stubborn pattern of male dominance.
Pay & Advancement Inequity
- Research by Glassdoor in 2021 showed men working as fashion designers earned 7% more on average than women in the same role
Interpretation
In an industry famously built on style and silhouettes, the fashion world still struggles to tailor equal pay—men’s earnings as designers cut 7% deeper than women’s.
Recognition & Awards Disparity
- Only 2 of the top 20 most recognized fashion designers on Forbes’ 2020 list were women
- In 2020, female designers made up 38% of the nominees for the CFDA Awards
Interpretation
In an industry that dresses the world, it’s ironic—and telling—that runway power still struts in suits more often than stilettos.
Representation in Prestigious Fashion Events
- Among designers featured at New York Fashion Week in 2022, only 17% identified as non-male
- A 2018 Fashion Spot report found that only 36.7% of New York Fashion Week designers were women that season
- In 2020, only 3% of the designers at Paris Fashion Week were women of color
- Only 1 of the 10 finalists for the 2019 LVMH Prize was a woman
- In 2021, less than 5% of London Fashion Week headlining shows were produced by female-led fashion brands
Interpretation
Despite fashion's reputation for breaking boundaries, these numbers reveal the industry's true runway: a catwalk still dominated by men, with women — especially women of color — too often stuck in the dressing room.
Workforce Representation
- Less than 10% of fashion designers at major US-based luxury fashion brands are non-white women
- Female fashion design graduates represent over 80% of students at top design schools such as Parsons and FIT
- In 2020, only 40% of luxury fashion designer roles in Europe were held by women
- As of 2021, women account for roughly 50% of fashion design job postings in the U.S., while men occupy nearly 70% of designer roles
- 65% of undergraduate fashion degrees are awarded to women, but only 22% of fashion design professors at top schools are female
- Female designers are underrepresented in sneaker collaborations, making up only 7% of notable brand partnerships in 2019
Interpretation
In an industry draped in the aesthetics of diversity and femininity, fashion’s leadership closet is still stitched together by the same old patterns—male-dominated, monochrome, and woefully out of season.