The fashion industry's lack of minority representation in creative director roles was recently underscored in a 2024 Harvard report, which revealed that fewer than 8% of designers identify as minorities, while over 60% are white. This disparity is further emphasized by the fact that, when white designers are released from major houses, they often quickly transition into comparable roles at other prestigious brands.

While the fashion industry has made notable strides over the past decade in addressing minority representation on runways and in print campaigns, the next step in its cultural evolution must be to address the significant underrepresentation of minorities in leadership and creative roles.

There are signs of progress. Noteworthy appointments—such as Virgil Abloh’s groundbreaking role at Louis Vuitton Menswear in 2018 and his subsequent succession by Pharrell Williams following Abloh’s untimely passing in 2021—mark important milestones. More recently, Maximilian Davis was appointed as creative director of womenswear at Salvatore Ferragamo, a move that also received widespread acclaim. Both designers have garnered praise from the fashion press and developed a strong celebrity following. Their collections—celebrated for their clarity, modernity, and cultural depth—have taken center stage in runway seasons. Davis’s “Hug Leather Tote” has emerged as a signature piece embraced by the fashion elite.