'Inclusion can no longer be ignored in the success and stability of every fashion brand' - Karen Binns, Fashion Director at Fashion Roundtable

Representation and Inclusion in the Fashion Industry: A report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Textiles and Fashion

A Foreword by Karen Binns, Member of Representation and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Fashion Director, Fashion Roundtable, British Fashion Council Diversity Steering Group, Room Mentoring Advisory Council

Being a part of such an important cause like this, brings me hope.

As the Fashion Director of Fashion Roundtable, it is vital that I totally step up to the cause of inclusion. This has been such an ugly word to the fashion industry for decades and now we have had enough. In;clusion can no longer be ignored in the success and stability of every fashion brand.

Statistics do not lie. We know from the data that the person of colour spends double, sometimes triple the amount of money on clothes. Why? Because they must. We must. We are constantly the most judged on our appearances, which means we have no choice but to look the part, at all times to represent and to be successful. People of colour will be dismissed, ignored, and disregarded for an equal opportunity. I know this, from personal experience.

Meanwhile, because of this social pressure, we spend more on clothes than any other social group. This is business, and if fashion brands continue to ignore this issue of disregarding their biggest consumer they will lose - completely - especially now, that all black owned businesses are on an all time rise. At the end of the day, just do the numbers!