ARTICLES/MEDIA/RESOURCES
Beauty and fashion are powered by creativity, technology, strategy, and global commerce, but many of the careers and business opportunities behind these industries remain overlooked or difficult to access. Industry Insights brings together research, workforce trends, and emerging opportunities to help students, professionals, and founders understand where the industry is growing, the roles that make it move, and how they can position themselves to participate, lead, and build.
BEAUTY & REPRESENTATION
Unlocking the full potential in fashion for Black consumers
McKinsey & Company | June 2022
Black consumers account for 11.1% of U.S. beauty spending, yet Black professionals represent only 4%–5% of the industry’s workforce, revealing a significant gap between consumer influence and access to industry careers.
FASHION & REPRESENTATION
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Fashion Industry
British Fashion Council | January 2024
Only 9% of executive and board positions in the UK fashion industry are held by people of color. The research demonstrates why stronger pathways into leadership and decision-making roles remain essential.
CAREERS & WORKFORCE
Celebrating the People Behind the Beauty Industry
Personal Care Products Council | August 2024
The beauty industry supports 4.6 million U.S. jobs, including more than 5,700 STEM professionals. Opportunities extend across science, manufacturing, product safety, marketing………
BEAUTY INDUSTRY OUTLOOK
State of Beauty 2025: Solving a Shifting Growth Puzzle
McKinsey & Company | June 2025
The global beauty industry is projected to grow 5% annually and reach $590 billion by 2030. Growth in wellness, personal care, aesthetics, and emerging markets is creating opportunities beyond traditional cosmetics.
FASHION, TECHNOLOGY & CAREERS
The State of Fashion 2026: When the Rules Change
McKinsey & Company and The Business of Fashion | November 2025
Artificial intelligence is reshaping fashion work and moving many positions toward higher-value creative and analytical responsibilities. Emerging opportunities span AI, digital commerce, data, supply-chain strategy, marketing, finance, and customer experience.
REPRESENTATION & INCLUSION
WOMEN IN BEAUTY STEM
Advancing Women in the Science of Beauty
The Estée Lauder Companies | October 2024
Women remain underrepresented across the global STEM workforce, even though scientists, chemists, engineers and researchers are central to beauty innovation. The initiative highlights the need for stronger pathways into the science behind beauty.
TURN INSIGHT INTO OPPORTUNITY
The research reveals where beauty and fashion are headed. The Close-Up helps you understand where you fit—and connects you with the people, knowledge, and pathways that can move your career or business forward.
REGISTER FOR THE CLOSE-UP
The Close-Up: Inside the Business of Beauty & Fashion shares third-party research for educational purposes. All articles, reports, data, and trademarks belong to their respective publishers.