Victoria Beckham has revealed how her eponymous brand will strive for ‘more inclusion and representation’ in support of Black Lives Matter movement.
In a statement uploaded to Instagram on Friday, the fashion designer, 46, said she took a step back from social media to reflect on how she can diversify her business in light of the senseless death of George Floyd.
The wife of former footballer David Beckham shared she’s set up internal working groups to review the company’s casting, suppliers and partners, as well as additional training on ‘unconscious bias’.
‘We can all be better’: Victoria Beckham has revealed how her eponymous brand will strive for ‘more inclusion and representation’ in support of Black Lives Matter movement
‘The fashion industry has a huge role to play in the Black Lives Matter movement, and I can be better. We can all be better’, Victoria declared.
‘It starts with representation, both within our businesses and who we work with externally.’
Detailing the steps she’ll take to combat racial injustice, the style icon explained: ‘At Victoria Beckham, we have always strive to be inclusive, but we need to look inwards and be better.
‘As a first step, we’ve set up an internal working group to look at everything from our teams and talent to our casting, suppliers and partners.
Bold: In a statement shared on Friday, the fashion designer, 46, said she took a step back from social media to reflect on how she can diversify her business in light of George Floyd’s killing
First steps: She has set up internal working groups to review the company’s casting, suppliers and partners, as well as training on ‘unconscious bias’ (pictured at her LFW show in February)
‘This group will help hold the business accountable and ensure our short and long-term actions reflect our learnings.
‘We will also be providing additional team training and support to ensure that we are listening to each other, really discussing the issues and identifying unconscious bias in ourselves and the wider business.’
The mother-of-four vowed to start the development immediately, adding: ‘It’s each of our responsibilities to speak out and use our platform for education, conversation and change.
‘This won’t change or be solved in a day, but we clearly can’t wait another day to start doing more.’
‘The fashion industry has a huge role to play’: The wife of former footballer David Beckham detailed the steps she’ll take to combat racial injustice
Victoria echoed her comments in the post’s caption, writing: ‘I’ve taken a step back this week to focus on the tragic events that have been highlighted recently.
‘Watching things unfold and learning more about the Black Lives Matter movement, I’ve been truly sickened by how deeply ingrained racism is in our society.
‘It’s clear that it’s each of our responsibilities to speak out and I want to use my platform for education, conversation and change. The fashion industry has a huge role to play, and for me, it starts with representation, both within my business and who we work with externally.
‘I’ve always aimed for inclusivity, but we all need to look inwards and be better. At Victoria Beckham, we’ve set up an internal working group as a first step and will provide additional support to ensure that we are listening to each other, discussing the issues, identifying unconscious bias in ourselves and ensuring our short and long-term actions reflect all our learnings.
”I’ve taken a step back this week to focus on the tragic events’: The style icon echoed her comments in the post’s caption
‘Whilst things won’t change or be solved in a day, we clearly can’t wait another day to start and I am absolutely committed to being better and doing more, both personally and professionally.
‘I hope you all share my sentiment and are doing the same with your friends, family, brands and businesses so that we all play our part in this vital issue. x vb #blacklivesmatter.’
Victoria, who recently reversed her decision to furlough her staff in lockdown, was also among the 25 million who took part in Blackout Tuesday for the Black Lives Matter movement, following the senseless death of George Floyd.
Troubling: George Floyd, 46, an African-American man, died on May 25 after a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes in Minneapolis, Minnesota
George, 46, an African-American man, died on May 25 after a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
His death has sparked days of demonstrations across the nation over police brutality against black people.
The Minneapolis policeman accused of killing Floyd, Derek Chauvin, was taken into custody Friday and charged with third-degree murder, officials said.
Black Lives Matter, which was first founded in 2013 following the acquittal of George Zimmerman and was nationally recognized for its involvement in the Ferguson protests in 2014 has been galvanized once more following the death of Floyd.
Taking a stand: His death has sparked days of demonstrations across the nation over police brutality against black people (protest in London pictured on Wednesday)