“We’re All Suicidal. What’s the Issue?”: A Qualitative Investigation into the Mental Health of Fashion Designers

The fashion industry is notorious for its intense stress, toxic work environments, and the romanticization of overwork, all of which take a significant toll on the mental health of its workforce. Yet, academic research has largely neglected this reality. The mental health of fashion designers, in particular, has received little attention in academic research, which prevents the industry from gaining the insights needed to implement meaningful change. This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of fashion designers, focusing on the mental health challenges they face within both educational and professional contexts. Based on 15 semi-structured interviews, the research identifies five key themes including educational & organizational culture, the tension between capitalism and creativity, and the lack of social support. The study’s findings suggest that, rather than being an exception, fashion designers experience work-related stress very similar to that of overworked professionals in other industries, which is then exacerbated by a culture that normalizes sacrifice and exploitation. The results highlight the urgent need for systemic reforms in the industry, advocating for the integration of mental health support and a shift toward sustainable, human-centric practices. The paper concludes by proposing future research directions to support policy development and encourages a reexamination of fashion’s entrenched toxic dynamics with the aim to end fashion exceptionalism.