Fashion’s Problem with Toxic Men & Mental Health
Alright, it’s time to talk about the ugly side of the fashion and apparel industry – the side no one wants to admit exists.
We all love fashion for its creativity, glamour, and influence, but there’s a deeply ingrained culture of toxicity behind the glossy campaigns and Insta-worthy runway moments.
And let’s be honest—it’s mostly men at the top who run the show, set the tone, and let bad behaviour slide.
From inappropriate power plays to outright abuse, the industry has been getting away with this for decades. And the mental toll? Devastating.
The real question is: Why do we still let this happen?
The Reality: Fashion is Failing Its People
A recent study showed that one in five Australian employees took time off work due to feeling mentally unwell in the past 12 months. And that’s across all industries—now imagine the pressure-cooker environment of fashion, where image is everything, rejection is constant, and “just be grateful for the opportunity” is used to excuse all kinds of abuse.
Ask anyone who’s worked in fashion retail, design, modelling, or even photography, and they’ll tell you the same thing:
🛑 Long hours with unrealistic expectations.
🛑 Toxic workplace culture where belittling is “just the way it is.”
🛑 Senior men abusing their power over younger, vulnerable workers.
🛑 Emotional, mental, and financial manipulation dressed up as “paying your dues.”
It’s not just about dodgy photographers creeping on young models—this problem runs through design houses, fashion media, PR firms, and corporate retail.
And while we’re on it—why is it always young women expected to “put up with it” while the men responsible get a slap on the wrist and another big-budget campaign?
The Mental Health Toll: When Your Dream Job Becomes a Nightmare
Fashion is hard enough without a toxic work environment.
But when your boss is a narcissistic dictator, your senior colleagues take “banter” too far, and everyone’s too scared to speak up in case they get blacklisted?
That’s when it becomes more than just a tough job—it becomes a serious mental health crisis.
🧠 Depression, stress, and anxiety are rampant in fashion.
🧠 Workplace bullying is passed off as “high standards.”
🧠 Gaslighting is a management tactic.
Sound familiar?
Jude Kingston, founder of Mind Your Fashion, has been through it herself. She saw first-hand the mental toll of this industry, experiencing workplace toxicity so severe that it led to thoughts of suicide, depression, and years of recovery.
And she’s not alone.
It’s 2025, and we’re still treating mental health in fashion like it’s an afterthought—something to deal with once people are already broken, not before.
What Needs to Change: No More Excuses for Predatory & Abusive Behaviour
Fashion has always had a “boys’ club” at the top, and for too long, bad behaviour has been protected by power, money, and silence.
The old excuses don’t work anymore:
🚫 “That’s just how the industry is.”
🚫 “He’s a genius, you have to separate the art from the artist.”
🚫 “If you can’t handle it, you’re not cut out for fashion.”
Mate, shut up.
The industry doesn’t need more fragile egos in suits covering for their mates. It needs:
✔️ Proper mental health support for employees, models, and creatives.
✔️ Zero tolerance for harassment and power abuse.
✔️ Stronger protections for young workers in fashion retail, internships, and modelling.
✔️ Less protecting men at the top, more protecting the people they exploit.
Because fashion isn’t just an industry—it’s a culture. And right now, that culture is rotten.
What You Can Do: If You See It, Call It Out
Sick of the fashion industry’s toxic BS? Here’s what you can do:
📌 Know your rights – Check out The Fair Work Commission to understand what’s legal vs. what’s just bad culture.
📌 Speak up – If you see dodgy behaviour, don’t stay silent. Report it to HR, management, or call it out publicly if needed.
📌 Support initiatives like Mind Your Fashion – Because fixing this mess takes more than just talking about it.
📌 Stop glorifying “genius men” who are just abusers in designer suits.
And if you’re struggling with your mental health, don’t just try to tough it out. Reach out.
💬 Talk to someone.
💬 Leave that toxic workplace.
💬 Know that fashion is better when people aren’t miserable.
Final Thought: It’s Time for the Industry to Grow Up
Fashion loves to talk about being progressive. About change, innovation, and creativity.
So why the hell are we still stuck protecting dinosaurs and letting abuse slide?
The old “powerful men, silent victims” story? We’re done with that.
The industry can be better. It just needs the guts to do something about it.
And if you’re one of the ones still making excuses for bad behaviour?
You’re the problem. Your time is up.
🚀 Tag someone who’s ready for fashion to do better.
📢 Call out toxic work culture when you see it.
💡 Support real change—because it’s long overdue.