Welcome to a thought-provoking session where participants can collectively reflect and discuss the diversity of beauty and the power of inclusion in society, marketing, and fashion. Unattainable body and beauty standards are once again at the center of the debate. What’s the responsibility of the fashion industry? A session held during the Borås Textile Days 2023.

 The contemporary fashion industry is increasingly interested in how marketing communication affects people’s self-image. More fashion companies are creating advertisements that emphasise equality, the equal worth of individuals, and social inclusion. Why is this so? Is the fashion industry a powerful force in shaping and influencing societal norms and standards? Or is the fashion industry more of a mirror that is forced to reflect upon these norms and standards in its endeavour to make its products desirable?
The fashion industry is often at the center of the debate regarding unattainable body and beauty standards. Important questions to ask are: What responsibility do fashion companies have regarding how consumers perceive themselves? How are different forms of beauty portrayed? What drives the inclusivity initiatives in marketing communications?
These questions are the starting point for this session. As a participant, you have the opportunity to meet researchers from the Swedish School of Textiles who are part of the Marketing, Fashion, and Sustainable Consumption research group and to listen to Russel W. Belk, an internationally distinguished researcher in marketing and consumer behaviour. 

Date: November 14
Time: 09:00 – 11:00 (CET)
Location: Textile Fashion Center, Garfveriet, level 2 (but also digitally, if there is a big enough request for it)
Link to registration: CLICK HERE