Pride month concludes today, and the CFDA looks back at four weeks of celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a key organizational pillar, and supporting and empowering the LGBTQIA+ community is part of this important effort.
CFDA and PVH Corp. have been partners on DEI work since 2018, and together, we released The State of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Fashion Report, a definitive work of research and suggested next steps to drive toward representative and equitable workplaces throughout the American fashion industry. To mark Pride, we spoke to Jason Scarlatti, Calvin Klein’s VP of Design, Men’s Underwear and Co-Chair of PVH’s LGBTQIA+ Business Resource Group WERK – who spoke on a CFDA Pride panel during World Pride in New York City in 2019 – about empowering LGBTQIA+ professionals, working in fashion, and how the industry can do to honor Pride month.
How have you empowered LGBTQIA+ professionals in their professional journey?
I think the most important way to empower an LGBTQIA+ professional in their journey is to encourage and embrace their individuality. To not try and edit or fit into a mold, but to show up as their true selves to the workplace.
How have your experiences in the fashion industry influenced where you are today?
My personal experiences in the fashion industry have had a lot of influences on where I am today. I think starting off very early on, you learn that the world is very small, and that you may see a lot of the same faces in different times or positions as you grow. Never burn a bridge. Also, I am proud to have found a passion and expertise in designing underwear and loungewear. I think narrowing in on a product can teach you so many things, and I’m still learning.
How have you seen diversity play a role in the success of a business?
In my opinion, diversity is a necessity in being successful (period). Using the word “success” in a broader way – as a successful human, in successful business, in designing successful product. The more diversity that is part of the process will deliver the most unique and evolved result. Diversity needs to be a mind set and a pillar of success. Diversity is part of my everyday business – and being inclusive to understanding global differences is a tool we depend on daily on how to make product better.
How would you encourage brands and/or individuals to honor Pride month?
Pride isn’t about rainbow product. Pride is about creating an equal, safe and inclusive community. Pride is about having a touchpoint to those in need; and Pride (for a fashion brand) should be about creating product that makes you feel included and good about yourself. It doesn’t need to be a rainbow; it needs to be about confidence. I would encourage brands and individuals to honor Pride by educating themselves on how the march began; what the fight was all about – and how we got to where we are today, [and], most importantly, where we need to go….and encourage brands and individuals to contribute to that fight.
What has CK and/or PVH done for LGBTQIA+ advocacy (internally or externally)?
I’m extremely proud to be associated with a brand such as Calvin Klein. The brand has always been a pioneer for the LGBTQIA+ community, especially early on with a devotion to fighting the AIDS crisis.
Since then, both Calvin Klein and PVH Corp. have done exceptional work contributing to the community.
I can list numerous organizations and funds that we’ve contributed to, but the most impactful asset PVH has instilled is creating an LGBTQIA+ task force as a business resource group (BRG). The “BRG” is embraced as part of everything from being inclusive on design to evolving our corporate language globally. PVH is an extremely conscious institution. It is considerate and inclusive and wants to do the right thing. Most importantly, I’m proud to know the conversations are happening around how to be inclusive every single day.
