The Outsiders Perspective, the non-profit organisation working to increase representation in the fashion and beauty industries, has launched TOP Community. This is the first industry-wide alliance for people of colour working in the UK within the luxury and fashion sector.
Working to improve the lack of representation in the industry, the Outsiders Perspective is convening nominated employees from leading brands including Alexander McQueen, ASOS, BoF, Burberry, Chanel, Deckers Brands, Dunhill, Lululemon, Mulberry, Paul Smith and Tiffany & Co. to form the inaugural TOP Community.
Supported by the Fashion Business School at London College of Fashion: UAL, the forum will consist of employees from ethnic minority backgrounds. Here they will address difficult topics, collectively discuss the challenges minorities face and support accelerated action at the highest levels of the industry.
Jamie Gill, Founder of The Outsiders Perspective, said: “Our mission is to build a professional community where people of colour from across the industry, at all levels, in all head office functions are no longer a minority. As people of colour, we often actively seek out members from our own communities to create a sense of belonging and to build a peer group to support us – we do this because we need to.
“With TOP Community we see the opportunity to formalise this, by creating a safe space that supports future leaders of our industry.”
Launching on 2 July, at Rosewood London, TOP Community will meet twice a year. Attendees will be invited by participating brands who will nominate five people from their businesses to participate. Regardless of level or function, nominees will hold a space for a year, passing their seat to a colleague but remaining a part of a strong alumnus.
Anonymised insights from the group will be collated and shared with business leadership with the aim of inspiring change from the top down.
The Outsiders Perspective will open applications for their talent acquisition on 4 July.