E-Magazine
“Let’s hear it for the girls": Women in the creative industries
Dr Colette Henry, ISBE President
Creative industries are reported to employ in excess of two million people, directly and indirectly, and contribute some £60 billion per year to the British economy (DCMS, 2009). The sector includes designer fashion, film, theatre and the performing arts, advertising, architecture, publishing, broadcast media, recorded music, and arts & crafts.
Evidence is now emerging that women are becoming increasingly attracted to the creative industries. In particular, designer fashion would appear to be one of the creative sectors especially appealing to women in terms of employment opportunity and new venture creation. Not surprisingly, women make up most of the customer base in this particular sector and, in employment terms, continue to be attracted into the industry in large numbers.
However, women simply do not get the same recognition for their achievements as men. For example, in the US, female designers and executives predominate in the manufacture of women’s clothing, yet men have won more industry honors and are featured more prominently in the media than women. Leading industry publications consistently list significantly more men than women among their high achievers, while 21st century television shows such as “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and, more recently, “How to Look Good Naked – with Gok Wan” platform male rather than female designers giving advice. Thus, notwithstanding Trinny and Susannah’s efforts, it is implied that men make better designers than women, and, in some cases, that gay men are the best designers of all (Wilson, 2005)!
Further, while there are more women than men working in the fashion industry overall, there is a skewed gender balance towards successful male-led, designer fashion businesses, with only three women currently ranking among the world’s top ten fashion designers (Hilary Fashion, 2008).
This apparent lean towards celebrating men’s rather than women’s creative achievements is disappointing, especially as women seem to be particularly well suited to working in the creative industries, either as employees or as entrepreneurs. For example, women possess many of the core characteristics of creative/entrepreneurial workers, such as independence, self-reliance, autonomy, flexibility, adaptability. In addition, the creative industries are appealing to women because some sectors accommodate home, flexible and part-time working, all of which may be required where family responsibilities are involved (Wilby, 2008).
Furthermore, in terms of entrepreneurship, women tend to set up the sorts of businesses that are typical of the creative sector, i.e. micro or very small enterprises, but service oriented, with a high value on the cultural, quality and human elements of the business. Finally, women are reported to be “portfolio workers par excellence”, with their multi-tasking skills and experiences making them ideally suited to project-based enterprises (Gill, 2002). Thus, the creative industries may represent a huge opportunity for women to develop their entrepreneurial talent in the future. All that’s needed, is a bit of gender balance when it comes to recognising creative achievements.
As 2009 is the European Year of Creativity and Innovation and, with constant reminders about the current dire economic situation (sorry!), there is possibly no better time to encourage more women into the creative sector. So, for a change, let’s hear if for the girls!
