Knit – accelerating inclusion in fashion
Knit is redefining how diversity, equity, and inclusion are approached in the fashion industry. Launched in 2023, Knit empowers changemakers from marginalised backgrounds to co-create solutions that foster empathy, representation, and inclusivity. Two tools have been developed to support industry leaders in creating inclusive workplaces. Now in its second phase, Knit has evolved into an incubator, equipping participants with entrepreneurial skills and connecting them with industry experts to develop their ideas further, ultimately creating open-source tools for industry-wide impact.
Knit was launched in 2023 to accelerate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the fashion industry. In this first phase, Knit brought together ten changemakers from marginalised backgrounds to address how to better represent diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds at all levels of the fashion industry.
This work led to two digital solutions: “Step into My Shoes”, a virtual experience to help leaders build empathy and cultural awareness, and “Humanitree”, an interactive tool designed to make company culture visible and promote diversity across every level.
“In 12 years of working in the space, I have never experienced something like this. Philanthropy is mostly done TO people, not with them. This program is truly empowering us, the affected community, to step into our agency and drive systemic change.”
Bushra Ahmed, KNIT Changemaker, Board Member, Speaker, Community Activist
Scaling solutions for industry impact
Phase two launched in mid-2024 together with our partner The Do, a global organisation that empowers businesses, employees and entrepreneurs in key moments of transformative change. This phase focuses on scaling these solutions and equipping changemakers with skills in innovation and entrepreneurship.
The changemakers are now part of a human-centred incubator programme to develop their prototypes into fully operational tools. To realise this, The Do leads a multi-stakeholder innovation process where a range of different partners are contributing to the programme.
Example of partners:
- Brand partners: H&M Group and COS, who are piloting the tools
- Research partner: Unmodal Research Inc
- DEI experts: The Impact Company
- UX and UI design: CC Projects
- Digital product developer: Christoph Hassler
Next steps
Our open-source approach means that while these solutions are now being piloted with our brand partners, the aim is that they will be adopted industry-wide.
Knit’s human-centred approach ensures that every decision reflects the insights and experiences of those most affected by industry inequities, embodying the motto “Nothing about us, without us”.
Project time period
Financial Support:
SEK 10,000,000
Focus Areas:
Partners:
Countries:
