Chanel is showing its commitment to diversity by hiring Fiona Pargeter as its first Head of Diversity and Inclusion.
According to the Business of Fashion, Pargeter previously held a similar role at Swiss bank UBS. The French fashion house’s new position comes on the heels of competitors investing in diversity initiatives.
In June, maisons at LVMH Group—which owns luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior and Givenchy—followed their European counterparts’ lead after signing the UN Standarts of Conduct for Businesss, which battles discrimination against LGBT people in their workplaces.
“All of our employees should be able to be themselves and be considered for their contribution, irrespective of other considerations such as their race, gender or sexual orientation,” Chantal Gaemperle, group executive vice president of human resources and synergies for the group, told WWD. And the conglomerate is also planning to unroll a series of anti-LGBT discrimination policies by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the Business of Fashion also reports that Gucci and Burberry are recruiting for roles similar to Chanel’s new position.
