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Ralph Lauren, Race and How Fashion Can Embrace Discomfort

The debate sparked by the brand’s collaboration with historically Black colleges Morehouse and Spelman is the kind of uncomfortable conversation that fashion should be having more often, diversity and inclusion experts say.
The Polo Ralph Lauren Exclusively for Morehouse and Spelman Colleges Collection drew both praise and criticism online since it was announced in March.
The Polo Ralph Lauren Exclusively for Morehouse and Spelman Colleges Collection drew both praise and criticism online since it was announced in March. (Courtesy)

When Ralph Lauren unveiled its first-of-its-kind collaboration with historically Black colleges Morehouse and Spelman, the brand seemed to follow the post-George Floyd playbook for diversity best practices to the letter. Conceived and executed by Black employees and HBCU alumni in coordination with the schools and their students, the collection was intended to bring into the fold some of the people the brand had overlooked in its decades defining American style.

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About the author
Sheena Butler-Young
Sheena Butler-Young

Sheena Butler-Young is Senior Correspondent at The Business of Fashion. She is based in New York and covers workplace, talent and issues surrounding diversity and inclusion.

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