#DialoguingDiversity – How the fashion media can bridge its inclusion and diversity gap.

For ages, global fashion media has continuously failed to cover and represent the fashion industry in Africa adequately.

Often than not the conversation around African creativity and ingenuity is relegated to the background resulting in bias reporting, stereotypes, and lack of proper representation in media.

The lack of dimension in storytelling has also created a huge gap between the industry and potential customers affecting marketing, advertising and growth.

In the second episode of #DialoguingDiversity of the visualactivist.me powered by PICHA, founding editor of Braperucci.africa and communication lead at Digital Media agency, BP Africa communications, Nathan Yaw Pierre Tollo shared some key solutions to the diversity and inclusion issue in fashion media.

READ MORE: PICHA is launching a visual diversity campaign to change the visual depictions of black people in media

In response to the issue of lack of proper media reportage, Nathan, a visual activist himself, said local media must empower the industry by telling real stories, celebrate real culture, and breed inclusion. 

“Empowering the fashion industry lies squarely on the door of the media and stakeholders in the industry. We need to appreciate the work we do and highlight the creative working coming from Africa”, he said.

Nathan who has been at the forefront of digital media as a publisher, content creator, PR, media strategist, and muck racker as he covers topics in the fashion, lifestyle, food industry said the lack of structure and funding from the corporate world was also a factor that had inhibited the inclusion of the fashion in media.

READ MORE: PICHA is launching a visual diversity campaign to change the visual depictions of black people in media

Three ways he believed fashion media owners, editors and journalists can consciously improve diversity include creating a fashion database for all the industry players.

He also suggested that media owners should always involve women and young people in telling the stories.

“Edward Enninful of British Vogue has done a great job in his role as the first black editor of British Vogue through research and collaborating with the right creatives, he’s been able to create content we are all proud of,” he opined.

Finally, he advised that industry stakeholders should research and find solutions to the local issues that were affecting them.

The interactive and empowering episode saw several questions and comments from the audience who also acknowledged the need for media to be more inclusive and less opulent as expressed in the glossy pages of magazines.

The VisualActivist.me campaign is open to all Individuals, influencers and businesses interested in the visual movement for inclusion, diversity and authentic representation of Africans and Afro-descendants.

Watch the full video from EP-2 of #DialougingDiversity here

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Sponsor

spot_imgspot_img

Latest

These 12 buildings are defining Accra’s skyline in a significant way

From the very first brick to the selection of color panels, gardening, lights and what have you, these buildings in Ghana are simply magnificent...

Travel Guide: How these 10 neighbourhoods in Accra got their names

Ever wondered how your neighbourhood got its names or the significance to its first dwellers?? Accra, Ghana's capital has several of such neighbourhoods and we explain them

#40andFabulous: All our favourite looks of birthday girl and Second Lady Samira Bawumia

Samira's personal style is an interesting combination of modern, eccentric yet traditional pieces.

#VGMA2019 Red Carpet photos of celebrities who attended this year’s event

After weeks upon weeks of publicity and campaigning,the highly anticipated 20th edition of the prestigious Vodafone Ghana Music Awards came off at the Miracle Dome in Accra.

Would you rock the short hair trend? Anita Erskine did & she looks stunning!

When it comes to confidence, class, and charisma, Anita Erskine embodies it all—and her latest hair transformation is proof! The award-winning media personality, known...