Looking for inclusive clothing brands to support? We’ve got you covered.
Popular clothing retailer, Abercrombie & Fitch, has recently come under fire in a Netflix documentary, “White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch,” that uncovers the company’s behind-the-scenes discriminatory practices. In the documentary, former staff and other individuals come forward to share their racist experiences with the company.
Many know Abercrombie & Fitch for its all-American aesthetic which uses predominately white models to represent the brand. Many began to notice the lack of diversity when it came to who the company featured in its ads from online to in-store advertisements. This disparity eventually became too big to ignore, leading to conversations around diversity and inclusion.
Movements that called for equality and inclusivity such as the body positive movement gained speed, prompting more and more retailers to focus on branding that emphasized inclusion. The global pop star, Rihanna, started an all-inclusive lingerie store that spotlights women of all colors, shapes, and sizes. Her beauty and skincare lines, Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin, also feature a wide variety of male and female models.
Fortunately, many other companies, such as Victoria’s Secret, have followed suit. Nowadays, anyone can find apparel stores that they feel represent them. And while the fashion industry is constantly changing, incorporating more diversity into marketing and branding is a welcome change that’s hopefully here to stay.
Due to the claims made in the documentary, some former customers of Abercrombie & Fitch have decided to spend their hard-earned money elsewhere. Let’s take a look at some inclusive clothing brands to support that are similar to Abercrombie & Fitch:
Galerie LA
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Galeria LA is a black-owned brand located in Downtown Los Angeles that specializes in selling apparel with a clean and simplistic design similar to Abercrombie & Fitch. The brand carries clothing items from an all-inclusive network of designers whose pieces are sustainably made. Galerie LA spotlights models of a wide range of races and ethnicities to showcase the beauty in variety.
Founded by celebrity stylist, Dechel McKillan, the inclusive clothing brand focuses on creating a “positive environmental and social impact that is not at the expense of style and design.” Having designed superstars such as Drake, Nicki Minaj and Lionel Richel, it’s no wonder that McKillan successfully constructed a clothing brand with a trajectory to be an industry titan.
Girlfriend Collective
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At Girlfriend Collective, all shapes and sizes matter. From dresses to swimsuits to maternity wear, this company carries it all. Their variety in clothing items and accessories provide just as much range as the models they feature. This all-inclusive brand is making a name for itself with their apparel that compliments all women.
Girlfriend Collective practices ethical manufacturing by using recyclable materials to create its clothing. The materials used are helpful for producing soft, long-lasting apparel that feels good to wear. In doing this, customers wear clothing that not only looks and feels good, but also comes from a company that cares about protecting and sustaining the planet.
Paskho
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Paskho is a black-owned and operated clothing brand with a focus on bridging the racial and social gap in economic opportunities. The company prides itself on hiring a diverse group of individuals, which is why its models vary in age, gender, and race.
The inclusive clothing brand focuses on sustainability by partnering with many non-profit organizations, such as Canopy’s Pack4Good, to create a positive and lasting impact on the environment. Using sustainably sourced materials, part of their design and development process includes avoiding the 900 chemicals that are commonly used by apparel manufacturers to create clothing. In doing so, the company creates quality clothing that’s safe for customers to wear.
RE ONA
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RE ONA is another black-owned clothing brand that’s making waves in the fashion industry. Known for its minimalist designs, the company sells a range of clothing items, from structured blazers and pantsuits to casual, knit joggers. RE ONA designs its apparel for maximum comfort, with a carefully-curated blend of viscose and spandex material that lends to its soft, cushiony feel. They promote clothing in neutral colors that compliment all skin tones.
The company focuses on creating clothing made by fairly-paid employees in Bangladesh and China. Its employees are some of the best in the industry who work in small batches to protect the environment by reducing waste.
The Line by K
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The Line by K is a fun and trendy clothing brand that features models of various races and sizes. The woman-owned and operated company is taking the industry by storm with its colorful basics designed with a twist. Instead of creating bold, striking apparel that steals the show, the company seeks to offer apparel that compliments the wearer.
The Line by K is a love letter to women, with a mission to provide quality without sacrificing comfort. They believe that what we wear can affect the way we feel about ourselves. Because of this, the company is committed to providing the best of the best in quality.