‘Sex sells’ was once the mantra of the fashion industry, but this sentiment is looking increasingly dated. Why? Because a consumer backlash is in full swing, with people having little time for old stereotypes. How have brands that once prided themselves on exclusivity become more inclusive?

As body ideals broaden to incorporate a range of shapes, colors, ages, and abilities, people are more exacting about the ways in which companies approach diversity. How can brands go beyond token gestures to satisfy these demands and show they have inclusivity written into their DNA?

As more social media users develop an aversion to flawless feeds, while the #skinpositivity movement champions supposed ‘imperfections’, brands across sectors are facing calls to stop retouching reality. But why exactly are airbrushed images so problematic, and should they carry warning labels?

China’s LGBT community still often finds itself on the receiving end of state censors. However the official aversion to expressions of sexual identity appears out of step with the shifting public mood. When Weibo attempted to ‘clean up’ gay content, it faced a backlash and was forced to back down.