Emma Watson and Co. Talk Gender Equality for British Vogue

The September cover girl challenges fashion to go #HeForShe.

photo: courtesy British Vogue

British actress/humanitarian Emma Watson is expanding her global solidarity movement towards gender equality with a little help from British Vogue, as well as gracing their September issue. She launched the campaign, aptly named HeForShe, nearly a year ago with her now iconic speech on equality (seriously, if you haven't watched it do so now). The UN ambassadress is partnering with the magazine to discuss the equality and representation of both men and women in the fashion industry.

Yesterday, with the help of director Kathryn Ferguson, Emma released a Vogue Video featuring designers Stella McCartney, Jonathan Saunders, Erdem Moralioglu, and Bella Freud - all advocating the need for equal rights. "It's not just in our industry - it's in every industry," says fellow Brit McCartney, "but there's a massive issue with women not having equality." She adds, "We need to allow women to feel comfortable in who they are." Jonathan Saunders cautions complacency saying, "It's very easy to slip into the mindset where you feel like you're working in a very liberal environment, where men and women are treated equally, where there doesn't seem to be any gender preferential treatment. It just seems easy to make light of that."

The video as a whole is powerful, much like Emma herself. I, and Outsider, stand firmly beside the campaign and are proud supporters of initiative. Emma ended the video as only she could, hopefully: " I have big hopes for gender equality and the fashion industry. I think it's really improving." She says, "I've seen some positive steps towards equality in the industry, but I still think there's  a lot of racism and a lot of sexism. I'd really love to see a more diverse representation of women, and men, in any way that makes them feel empowered." Powerful words by a inspirational.Yet until moves are made, the gap will never be bridged. AB