Workplace & Talent / Leadership

In 2020, fashion pledged solidarity and systemic change. Now, as political tides have turned, only a few brands are willing to speak up — or follow through.

DEI workers are repositioning and rebranding to get contracts and retain remaining staff positions, distancing themselves from conversations around race and gender and instead prioritising their leadership expertise.

Brands like Warby Parker and Glow Recipe are thriving with two leaders at the top — but experts caution the model only works when the market conditions are right, roles are clearly defined and egos stay in check.

Sinking brand valuations, a shaky economy, and the rollback of DEI initiatives are pressuring women founders in fashion and beauty — but a new playbook is helping them navigate the storm.

From Burberry to Michael Kors and Under Armour, brands are leaning on product chiefs to navigate economic uncertainty and reignite innovation.

Brands, retailers and their employees are negotiating a new approach to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for the Trump era — and that often means avoiding the term itself.

This week, the US President took aim at climate action and diversity, equity and inclusion programmes, institutionalising a growing backlash against so-called ‘woke capitalism.’

An anti-DEI push by the new administration and a Gen-Z led move away from alcohol-centric social events are among the workplace shifts on tap for the year ahead.