The fashion industry is often celebrated for its glamour and attractiveness; however, there is always a shadow side to its practice that is often detrimental to mental health. The fashion industry is fraught with great stresses that not only affect models or designers but also consumers and clothing factory workers. The most common issue in the fashion business is the expectation to be and to look a certain way. Models, in particular, are often pressured to conform to unattainable images of beauty. Such pressure leads to different forms of disorders, among them body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and depression. Many studies have shown that concern about food is more frequent in the fashion world than in normal society. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reported that over forty percent of models surveyed confirmed that they had suffered from eating disorders.

Cultural Specificity

In India also, the condition is the same. The Indian fashion domain has been criticised for ages for promoting a culture that is purposely designed to favour light skin, slim bodies, and Euro-centric features that can result in poor self-image for those who don’t fit the bill. The focus on beauty is contrary to harm because it is a colonial fatalism that maintains that being fair is beautiful and prosperous. This affects not just models but also the self-esteem of millions of consumers who are constantly inundated with pictures of an unrealistic standard of beauty. There is one more example that will substantiate the notion of skin-deep beauty. “Fair & Lovely,” currently ”Glow & Lovely,” is India's leading brand of skin-whitening substances. The popularity of the brand shows the widespread existing preference for fair skin among the people of the Indian subcontinent, which is perpetuated by the fashion and cosmetics industry. This has far-reaching psychological repercussions, particularly for women who are forced to want to alter their appearance to fit into society.

Mental Health Challenges for those in the field

The fashion business is not only about modelling but also about designers and other supportive professionals who operate at the back office. The pressure of being creative, meeting timelines, and being competitive does result in negative outcomes such as stress, anxiety, and burnout. British designer Alexander McQueen took his own life in 2010, providing an insight into how fashion can affect its workers psychologically. He was not a member of the Indian fashion fraternity, but his tragic death had repercussions internationally under the guise of the need to address mental health issues in creative industries.

Indian designers like Manish Arora have been vocal in admitting their mental health issues. Arora, an Indian designer known for his bold and unconventional work, has called out the pressures associated with the industry and the impact they can have on an individual’s mental health. During an interview, he expressed his feeling that the need to remain innovative and relevant can be very taxing to the employees. Those kinds of revelations are very important to the field since mental issues are usually silenced in the industry.

The Impact of Fast Fashion

Photo by  the blowup Team  on  Unsplash

Another category of the industry with serious effects on wellbeing is fast fashion. Constant trends that are offered by fast fashion companies create a counterpart mentality where individuals have to continuously wear new styles to avoid fashion ‘shame’. This has resulted in worry, financial strain, and a feeling that one is not good enough since they have to maintain a certain social image in terms of looks. The fast fashion push of retailers like Zara and H&M in India is compounding the issue. The availability of cheap fashionable clothes makes the customers more concerned about the clothes than their security, and some workers are obsessed and call it “compulsive buying disorder.” Another study published in the Journal of Behavioural Addictions stated that shopping addiction was associated with a high sense of anxiety, depression, and low self-worth all increased with the help and restrictions of fast fashion. On top of that, working environments in the fast fashion industry, e.g., factories, especially in countries like India, have a major impact on how garment workers view themselves. Many of those women fall under the unskilled category and cope with excessive working hours and low income coupled with unfriendly working environments, all of which can lead to them suffering chronic stress and psychological problems. One example is the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh, which resulted in more than 1100 deaths of textile workers. It broke the hearts of people who are in doubt about the need for good clothing but somehow are unable to break away from the arms of ‘fast fashion’. Although this event did take place outside India, it created awareness regarding the working conditions of the Indian garment workers, as most of the Western companies get their products manufactured in the Indian factories.

Men and Their Mental Health in the Fashion Industry

Photo by  Fernando @cferdophotography Team  on  Unsplash

Where the mental health challenges being faced by women in the fashion world are highlighted, men are not oblivious to these pressures. Unrealistic beauty standards for male models and designers and the feeling of their bodies always needing to be in that exact shape are felt across the board. This predominantly leads to issues like body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and anxiety because males are expected to be muscular yet lean. For example, Zach Miko, a plus-size male model, has spoken about the pressure to fit into a mould that often does not represent the diversity of men's bodies. His voice in men's body positivity points to the need for more variety within the industry. In addition, the late Alexander McQueen was under great stress concerning his work within the fashion world, which contributed to his mental health struggles and suicide. His tragic story underlines the intense pressures required of males in the fashion industry, combined with an imperative need to provide additional mental health support. While male mental health in the fashion industry is not as discussed in India, the global trend implies that Indian male models and designers most likely face similar challenges. This growing awareness is one of those issues best addressed holistically so that men in the industry can get the help they may need.

Positive Steps

Today, however, significant steps are being taken to reconcile the ill effects of working in the fashion industry to the employees’ mental health. In the past several years, drastic changes in mental health awareness have taken place. Contrary to the willingness to talk more openly about mental health, many cultural industries today remain tense and difficult to work in. For instance, there is Anita Dongre, who is an Indian designer who articulates why mental health wellness in the industry is necessary. She developed procedures within the meansorte to make sure her staff has mental health services and within the helping environment.

Changing the Narrative: Body Positivity and Mental Health

Photo by  ABSOLUT Team  on  Unsplash

The increasing body acceptance campaigns in India, such as #BodyPositivityIndia, have challenged the fit ideals promoted by the fashion industry. These groups encourage individuals to embrace their natural bodies, sometimes rejecting the artificial values ​​presented in the media. By promoting body diversity and valuing individuality, these groups are helping to change the narrative of beauty and mental health in the Indian fashion industry. While the fashion industry is beautiful and distinctive, there are serious mental health implications for working individuals. The fashion industry, from the expectations placed on models and designers to the impact of fast fashion on consumers and the garment industry, can cause stress, anxiety, and mental health, but as more people and businesses recognise these challenges and businesses are doing to promote mental health if they do, there is hope for change. Companies in India are starting to recognise the importance of mental health, but they need to make more of an effort to establish a friendly and inclusive environment. By addressing these concerns and establishing a culture of acceptance and support, the fashion industry can begin to reduce its impact on mental health and provide a healthier environment for all those involved. 

Embrace Change & Style While Staying Mindful

“While fashion can be such a creative and powerful medium, many in the industry take some pretty big hits when it comes to mental health. All of these pressure models and fast fashion affect consumers and workers in their own way, all contributing to demands for stress and psychological problems emanating from this particular industry. Yet, with greater awareness and positive changes, there does come hope for a better future. Much like any other high-pressure field, the notion of seeking help when one needs it most is important. In the case of some people's mental struggles, finding a mental health professional's support is important.”
- "Embracing change and seeking support can turn the high-stress world of fashion into a runway for mental wellness." 

Photo by  Ava Sol Team  on  Unsplash

If you or anyone you know is struggling and can relate to some of the things mentioned in this blog, don't hesitate to reach out to Happy Minds for affordable emotional support with a Mind Coach today!