Diversity in society - Health Blog

What.

There are more people in society then only white humans. People often don't think about them. But for a few years' diversity is important for everyone and for different businesses. In this blog, I will look at the diversity in the fashion business. I think is a really important and interesting subject. These people are also important and beautiful. I am interested in how the fashion business deals with these groups. What's the trend? Who is this group? What are fashion company's doing with this trend?

The trend: There is more attention for transgender, plus size and other races. These groups are often seen as less than other groups. They can't do everything they want, because of the group they are in. But now it will change. You see these groups more on the catwalk or in fashion shoots. Even the government want to protect these groups. (NOS, 2016) It's difficult to see how many people are transgender. That's because they are a hidden group.

Image: http://charlottelifemagazine.com

Where.

First, this year there was more diversity on the catwalk. 25% of the models didn't have a white skin color, but they had other skin colors. This is an increasing line, but this is only the beginning. Even the Council of Fashion Designers of Amerika (CFDA) is encouraging fashion designers to cast more dark colored models in their shows. You can see an overview of the models on The Fashion Spot. In 2016, in New York, 31.9% had a different skin color, in London 19.9%, In Milan 19.7% and in Paris 21.9%. Except for skin color, you also saw plus size models, transgender models, and 50+ models. Unfortunately, not every brand is following the trend on the catwalk. But the beginning is made. (Laffite, Diversiteit op de catwalk, 2016)

In addition, the Swedish fashion brand &otherstories uses transgender models for their campaign. Not only the models are transgender, also the photographer, makeup artist, and stylist are transgender. Transgender models aren't new, you saw them already in the early 60's. But last years they are more visible. This is a very good signal because there are role models for a new generation of transgenders. Now they have examples and learn that they aren't alone in this world. They are accepted. (Laffite, &otherstories, 2016) It's difficult to see how many people are transgender. That's because they are a hidden group. Studies show that 0.7% of men and 0.6% of women are feeling psychologically more different than their own birth gender. (Transgender Infopunt, 2016)

Finally, plus size model Iskra Lawrence was part of New York Fashion Week for the sports brand Chroma. It's not new that the fashion industry uses plus size models. But last year's more fashion brands use plus size models. Besides her beauty, Iskra is also busy for a good cause.

She wants the youth to be confident and to create a positive self-image. That is very difficult for the youth, because of the obsessed society determined by appearance.

She uses the hashtag #everyBODYisbeautifull and wants people to sign her petition. She is a real example for the youth and the appearance society. The youth get real role models and they can be confident about their self. This is a very good thing, I think. (Buysch, 2016)

Image: http://www.glamour.com/story/iskra-lawrence-instagram-your-fat-rolls-are-beautifulmbid=nl_013017_Daily_beautytips

Why.

We have to know that a quarter of the Dutch population is immigrant. The diversity in this group is very big. There are Turkish, Morrocan, Surinam and African people in our society. 14% is Turkish. So we need to see that these people also exist and that we need to show them on the catwalk or in Fashion magazines. Because a big part of the Netherlands has a foreign background. (Pijll, 2009)

But in our little country, there also are transgenders. We have 850 transgenders in the Netherlands. 62% is a trans woman and 38% is trans men. More than 50% of the transgenders are between 35 and 54 years old. So the part of our society which consists of transgenders is very little. (Marleen Geerdinck, 2011)

When.

In future, I hope these groups are completely accepted by everyone in the world and that they will not be discriminated and living their own life. I hope that they don't have to be afraid anymore. Because we are all human, like everyone else in the world.

Bibliografie

Buysch, L. o. (2016, September 19). Linda Nieuws. Opgeroepen op Oktober 10, 2016, van www.lindanieuws.nl: http://www.lindanieuws.nl/nieuws/mooi-en-meevoelend-plussize-model-iskra-verovert-het-internet/

Laffite, M. P. (2016, Augustus 17). Linda Nieuws. Opgehaald van www.lindanieuws.nl: http://www.lindanieuws.nl/lifestyle/kledingwinkel-other-stories-kiest-voor-transgendermodellen/

Laffite, M. P. (2016, 10 17). Linda Nieuws. Opgeroepen op Oktober 10, 2016, van www.lindanieuws.nl: http://www.lindanieuws.nl/lifestyle/we-zijn-er-nog-niet-maar-steeds-meer-diversiteit-op-de-catwalk/

Marleen Geerdinck, L. M. (2011). Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek. Opgeroepen op Oktober 10, 2016, van www.cbs.nl: https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:C8ArAHHapbkJ:https://www.cbs.nl/-/media/imported/documents/2011/48/13u646transseksueleninnederland.pdf+&cd=2&hl=nl&ct=clnk&gl=nl&client=safari

NOS. (2016, Augustus 6). NOS. Opgehaald van www.nos.nl: http://nos.nl/artikel/2123465-wet-aanpassen-om-transgenders-te-beschermen.html

Pijll, D. I. (2009). Nederlands Jeugd Instituut. Opgeroepen op Oktober 10, 2016, van www.nji.nl: http://www.nji.nl/nl/Download-NJi/Cijfers_Culturelediversiteit.pdf

Transgender Infopunt. (2016). Transgender Infopunt. Opgeroepen op Oktober 10, 2016, van www.transgenderinfo.be: http://transgenderinfo.be/f/pers/cijfers/

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