The Scary Reality of DEI Rollbacks in Fashion
Lately, there’s been a quiet but noticeable shift happening in the fashion industry: companies are starting to walk back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Brands that once proudly championed DEI—like Victoria’s Secret, Target, and others—are now cutting back or abandoning those goals altogether. As someone who's Asian American and working toward a future in fashion, it’s honestly terrifying to watch.
DEI initiatives have always meant more than just corporate policies. For people like me, they’ve been a symbol of hope—proof that the industry was starting to recognize and make space for voices like mine. When companies actively prioritize inclusion, it sends the message that we belong. So, seeing that commitment being stripped away feels like a step backward, like the doors that had just started to open are quietly closing again.
Baby Mary in hanbok (1).
Growing up, I was often bullied for being Asian. I lived in a predominantly white area and was raised by white parents, so all I wanted to do was fit in. I learned early on that looking or acting “different” could make you a target, so I tried hard to blend in—even if that meant pushing my culture aside. I didn’t fully realize how much of myself I was hiding until recently. It wasn’t until last summer, during my study abroad experience in Korea, that I really started to appreciate my heritage. For the first time, I felt connected to something bigger than myself, and I saw the beauty in the culture I had once felt pressured to downplay.
Baby Mary in hanbok (2).
This fear isn’t just abstract for me—it’s personal. After some of the violence and discrimination that surged against the Asian community in the U.S., my mom once told me to carry around my certificate of citizenship, just in case anyone questioned me. That moment stuck with me. It reminded me that no matter how assimilated I may feel, there are still people who will see me as “other.” And now, with DEI being pulled back, that sense of unease only grows stronger.
Fashion has always had the power to set cultural tone, to lead and reflect societal values. When it embraces diversity, it uplifts everyone. But when it backs away from it—whether to appease critics or cut costs—it sends a dangerous message. It says that inclusion is optional. That equity is expendable. That people like me might not matter as much anymore. I hope the industry remembers why DEI mattered in the first place. Because behind every initiative are real people, with real dreams, who are just trying to feel seen. And even though it’s scary right now, I still believe in the power of fashion to do better. We just have to keep pushing for it.
Image from the time I was in NY with Line Development Studio in Crescala Collective.
