Pamela Hiddemen’s Post

In a workplace where DEI (Diversity Equality and Inclusion) is part of the vernacular, is the fashion industry truly turning the tide on ageism? Or, like Leonardo di Caprio, is it still youth-obsessed? In this thought-provoking submission for SXSW Sydney, WPP's Rose Herceg will moderate a panel of industry luminaries, including Vogue's Louise Bryan, and delve into the complex intersection of ageism and the fashion industry. Please vote for this submission (The Silver Age: Fad or Future? in the fashion category) to keep ageism at the forefront of DEI conversations. https://lnkd.in/grUFR4FY

🌟 Embracing Natural Hair: A Journey Towards Authenticity 🌟 In our ever-evolving workplaces, it's crucial to foster an inclusive environment where diversity thrives, and that includes embracing natural black hair. 🌍 Saying that someone "accepts" natural hair can inadvertently imply that there's something to be accepted or tolerated, as if it's inherently wrong or defective. 💁🏾♀️ Let's shift the narrative! Instead of "acceptance," let's celebrate and appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of all hair types and styles. 🎉 Hair, like the rest of our physical traits, is part of our identity. Just as we wouldn't judge someone born without hair, we shouldn't judge or label natural hair as "wrong." 🙅🏾♀️ Authorizing and accepting should not be the focus. Instead, let's promote understanding, respect, and a culture where everyone can be their authentic selves without judgment. 🤝🏿 Together, we can create workplaces where diversity is not just accepted but cherished, fostering creativity and a sense of belonging for all. 💼💬 #NaturalHair #Inclusion #Authenticity

With over 15 years of experience in retail, a designer and as a proud Black woman, I've witnessed firsthand the disconnect larger retailers often have when it comes to understanding the diversity of the Black woman's body. Our curves are natural, beautiful, and deserve to be celebrated in every fashion choice. Consumers crave inclusivity in sizing—quality garments that not only fit but flatter. Yet, many retailers fall short, limiting their sizes and making poor buying decisions. To truly connect with the community and meet their needs, I urge retailers to engage in meaningful surveys and outreach. Listen to the voices of Black women, understand their preferences, and embrace models that represent real curves. It's time to not just acknowledge diversity but to embrace it fully in every aspect of the fashion industry. #retail #fashionindustry #fashiondesigner #blackdesigners

This changed my life and it can change yours… I saw a myriad of black-owned beauty brands showcasing amazing products that deserve mainstream recognition fr. From the innovative skincare lines of black girl sunscreen to the bold and inclusive makeup offerings, each brand exuded a unique essence that celebrated the beauty and diversity of black culture. Their products not only catered to a wide range of skin tones and types but also championed inclusivity and representation in an industry often lacking in diversity. Meeting the passionate founders behind these brands, witnessing their dedication to their craft, and hearing their stories of resilience only deepened my admiration for their work. I can't wait to share the insights and inspiration from these events through captivating audiovisual content, adding captions and background music to amplify the message of empowerment and celebration. Let's collaborate to bring these narratives to life and champion the voices of black beauty brands on a larger stage. #BeautyBrandStrategies #BookYourCallNow #BusinessJourney #DelegateWithConfidence #TimeToThrive #BeautyBusinessEssentials #ProductivityBoost #VestaSupports #visibilitystrategy

I always welcome the explosion of content that heralds the beginning of Black History Month – I love to see how friends and colleagues are highlighting and commemorating the month. And most importantly, I enjoy seeing how the work and insights from this month form part of a larger focus on fostering inclusion, creating a sense of belonging and celebrating shared culture.   Too often, months like Black History Month or South Asian Heritage Month are one-off events. Cultural celebrations should be part of the expression of a wider programme of learning and engagement.   And that learning comes from seeking out insights like the Fashion Minority Alliance and Blurred are doing with our survey examining representation of minority groups within the fashion industry, specifically exploring how companies are drawing in applicants from minority backgrounds, their ability to retain minority employees, and whether they are enabling their progression within organisations and the wider industry relative to non-minority employees. Our research will assess the efforts of the fashion industry to achieve long-lasting cultural shifts towards an equitable, inclusive work environment. And as part of this month, we’re putting out the call again! Participation in the survey is anonymous and we encourage individuals across all levels of the fashion and beauty industry to get involved. Completing the survey offers a chance to win one of five £50 (or local equivalent) online vouchers from the luxury body care brand,79Luxe. We would love to hear your thoughts – please click through to learn about our survey and take part: https://lnkd.in/eTAUkjfU #dei #blackhistorymonth #blackhistorymonthuk #representation #learning #engagement #insights #survey

As I'm prepping for our next cover story (our biggest yet) I realized - I didn't share with my Linkedin family the cover of our first issue under the rebrand!!! Truth be told I did not want to be the cover and even threw a small fit. I had this whole women’s day cover planned with some amazing women that I felt were deserving of being featured. Due to timing, we had to switch gears and my team said “why not you?”. My reason for not wanting to: I don’t ever want to come off as self-centered or that I use my platforms for self-loathing, clout chasing antics which in reality, is a trauma response to some of what has happened to me in the fashion industry. But my team (amazing as they are) got me to see why I needed to be the cover. It shows the power in the platform I have and have spent over 10 years building, being an authority figure and voice in St.Louis's fashion industry (if not one of THE voices), and now with Advisor. I can expand that goal of being the authority in Black fashion in regard to journalism, media, PR, and overall representation. I’m very excited about the direction our publication is going and what we have in store, and I invite you all to join us for this journey. Issues are available now (in both digital and physical formats): https://lnkd.in/gseBfWpW Here’s to being the authority on what matters in Black fashion 🖤 #fashionmedia #fashionjournalism #fashionmagazine #advisormag #whatmattersinblackfashion

In the fashion industry, the conversation about true inclusivity is often shut down or diluted to fit a narrow social construct. As a Black American woman with dark skin, a wide nose, and natural hair, I've experienced firsthand how the industry's focus on Eurocentric beauty standards marginalizes diverse voices and talents. We cannot allow these conversations to be silenced. True inclusivity means more than token gestures... it means celebrating the unique gifts and perspectives of all creatives. It's about creating a space where everyone, regardless of their background, can share their artistry without being forced to conform to a world that often devalues their authenticity. If you're comfortable with the rat race of trying to fit into a world that resists inclusivity, that's your choice. But let's be honest about it. For those of us who seek genuine change, it's time to push back against these outdated norms. Share your thoughts and let's work together to create a fashion world that truly values and celebrates diversity. #TrueInclusivity #FashionDiversity #CelebrateAuthenticity #BreakTheBias #BlackWomenInFashion #DiverseVoices #InclusiveFashion #AuthenticRepresentation #FashionForAll #CreativesOfColor #EmbraceIndividuality

🌟 Breaking Barriers: Celebrating Natural Hair in the Professional World🌟 As a hairstylist specializing in natural hair, I've had the privilege of helping clients embrace the beauty of their authentic selves. Today, I want to shed light on the unique challenges that Black women face when wearing their natural hair in professional settings. 👩🏾💼 **Diverse and Professional**: Every hairstyle is a work of art, and natural hair is no exception. Yet, many Black women have felt pressured to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards to be seen as "professional." It's time we challenge these outdated norms. 📜 **Vague Dress Codes**: Workplace dress codes often lack clarity, leading to ambiguity and bias. Black women may find themselves in the frustrating position of having to justify their natural hair choices, which should never be the case. 💪🏾 **Resilience**: Despite these challenges, Black women continue to rise, embracing their natural textures with pride. Their resilience is an inspiration to us all, proving that authenticity and excellence are not mutually exclusive. 🌍 **Change Starts Here**: It's on all of us to create a more inclusive workplace. As hairstylists, we play a pivotal role in empowering our clients to confidently wear their natural hair. Education, awareness, and open conversations are key. ✨ **Celebrating Diversity**: Let's celebrate the beauty of diversity, in hair and in life. I'm committed to supporting my clients in their natural hair journey, helping them feel confident, empowered, and ready to conquer any room. 🤝 **Together We Thrive**: I invite fellow hairstylists, employers, and allies to join the conversation. By understanding the struggles Black women face with their natural hair, we can work together to foster environments of acceptance, respect, and empowerment. Let's keep the conversation going, because when we uplift one another, we all shine a little brighter. 💫💇🏾♀️💖 #NaturalHair #Inclusion #DiversityMatters #HairLove #Authenticity #Empowerment #HairstylistLife

Did you notice? In the USA, it's Black History Month. It's far from what other countries do to promote minorities, but why is it interesting? 💡It's interesting because: 1️⃣ Since 1974, it's the oldest large publicized celebration month, as it helps soothe previous traumas, to celebrate heroes of equal rights and equal opportunities, and there are many to celebrate 2️⃣ Since the advent of the internet, it's now celebrated worldwide, when black communities can find inspiration in civil rights, inclusion and diversity in all kind of projects, it is celebrated in the vast majority of the English Speaking African Countries, especially Nigeria boasting a large diaspora 3️⃣ Media have started to engage in the matter, all the more that they are anchored in strong Black-heritage regions such as Georgia, home to CNN, probably one of the earliest and most inclusive media of all types, promoting, women, the LGBTQ community, ALL, in one of the most southern State in the USA 4️⃣ Viral platforms now take the advantage to further extend opportunities to bring about change in businesses, wherein minorities now link-up to offer solutions, not only to the black community but to ALL, in an inclusive manner 5️⃣ Inclusion and diversity start by taking care of each others with empathy, whatever the beliefs, origins, physical traits, genders you may have, it should be celebrated 6️⃣ Following this century's pandemic, people have accelerated in caring, for themselves, and as a group, to resist and to go beyond hardships 7️⃣ Entities, organisations and companies are now vying to be alongside Black History Month promotions, and it's not ethno-appropriation or cheap marketing, it's because they really have the intent to show they care and that they want to be more inclusive and diverse 8️⃣ It helps adjust strategies and targets comparing with hardest-achieved goals 🚀And that why for us, working on the Africa Bio project, it's telling us we're on the right track. One reason: 25 percent of the first ranking 47 Black-owned businesses to support suggested by CNN are in beauty and cosmetics. Imagine, a world with more and more mixed skins, sharing closely-related needs, where cosmetics are making people happier because they feel GOOD, for themselves and for the environment. ❓Who are these 25 brands: Briogeo Hair Care BeautyStat Cosmetics CHÉMIN 54 Thrones Calvin Quallis Scotch Porter Shontay Lundy Blackgirl Sunscreen Buttah Skin Ami Colé THE GOOD MINERAL Shani Darden Skin Care Pat McGrath Cosmetics Danessa Myricks Beauty Although on a sustainable roadmap, what these brands need is more bio products, beyond recycling. That's where we help, sourcing natural, high-concentration products from unscathed rural Africa, where we engage in fair trade, to develop education, knowledge to reforest, inclusion, and diversity #bio #innovation #sustainable #development https://lnkd.in/ehuaeks2

It's 11th June, and the silence is deafening. Last year, on 1st June, Nike released a sneaker by non-binary designer and artist Zoe Schlacter, celebrating diversity and queerness. Once July came around, absolute silence... And not one post or collection dropped this year. I thought there was no sport without Pride, Nike?! Their BeTrue commitment, ongoing since 2012, has lost meaning and significance. The website hasn't even been updated with a new post... All are still dated 2023. People wonder why trust in brands is so low among the queer community. Brands often make a big song and dance about how progressive and inclusive they are—but the moment there's pushback (often from a vocal minority), they quickly retreat and apologise. If they were having a moment to "reflect" or to "consider how to make a meaningful action" then say that. Include others in the conversation. Don't keep it all internal and open up a void. Don't remain silent. Maybe take some of your own advice and just do it. When brands fail to back their words with consistent action, it’s no surprise they’re called out. It's just so brazen and frustrating! Trust isn't built on quick gestures—it requires a proper commitment, *especially* in the face of adversity.