Addressing the Abuse of Power in Fashion Retail
The fashion industry has long grappled with systemic issues, particularly the troubling pattern of male leaders abusing their positions of power. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to Vogue Business about this pervasive issue in light of the mounting claims against the late Mohamed Al Fayed, founder of luxury store Harrods. On 20 September, a team of lawyers announced plans to bring a global civil lawsuit against Harrods for failing to protect female employees from abuse.
Unfortunately, this behaviour is not new—it's deeply ingrained in the industry's culture. For too long, fashion retail has been shaped by unchecked hierarchies where power is concentrated at the top, leaving those lower in the ranks vulnerable to toxic behaviour.
This imbalance has created an environment where misogyny and misconduct can thrive. Fear of losing job security or future opportunities often silences individuals, especially women and marginalised groups, who might otherwise speak out. Real change remains frustratingly elusive despite some positive shifts following the #MeToo movement.
At Other Box, we emphasise that awareness alone does not lead to action. The fashion industry must move beyond superficial initiatives and focus on genuine systemic change. It's time to dismantle the culture of glamorising power and gatekeeping, which perpetuates cycles of abuse.
What we need is a radical reset—a complete transformation in how we address misconduct and protect those affected. This includes enforceable policies, zero-tolerance frameworks, and protections for whistleblowers. Third-party investigations should be mandatory, and workplaces must enable environments where employees feel psychologically safe to provide feedback and report issues without fear of retaliation.
Crucially, we must hold leaders accountable for their actions. Only then can we develop a culture where speaking up is encouraged and power is used responsibly. The time for change is now—anything less only allows these toxic patterns to persist.
Thank you to Vogue Business and Kirsty McGregor for the opportunity to share my views and to advocates like Neil Saunders, Anna Woods, Daniel Peters, and Maria Mulla, who are working alongside me to push for the necessary change in the fashion industry.
You can read the article here.
