UNESCO AND WOMEN @DIOR: A TALE OF EMPOWERMENT AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

By: Prachi Khatri

Dior is indisputably one of the world’s most reputable luxury fashion brands. Recognized by flashy billboards, seductive magazine ads and enticing products on display at Department stores much like works of art, the House of Dior is known for immaculate tailoring and superior artisanship. Employing almost 200,000 people worldwide and worth $143.84 Billion, the leaders at Dior are in prime position to offer a mentorship collaboration with UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Launched in 2017, the collaboration of the UNESCO and Women@Dior program is more than just a business arrangement, it is a partnership to influence positive change in fashion world. a united effort to help coach thousands of young women all over the world as they take their first step in their careers by empowering them through mentorship of inspiring leaders and Dior mentors.

According to the Women@Dior website “the program is a unique occasion to learn what is not taught: self-confidence and to dare for your career destiny”.

The Women@Dior Mentorship program provides guidance and support to young women from different backgrounds to help them navigate the complex world of fashion, helping them gain confidence to realize their dreams. Scholarships and mentorship are helping break down these barriers while at the same time opening doors for tomorrow’s women leaders.

Credit: Women@Dior website

At the heart of the program is the Dior Creative Director and a strong campaigner for gender parity and cultural diversity, Maria Grazia Chiuri. Fashion for Chiuri is a powerful medium through which social change can occur. She aims to empower women globally by creating designs that amplify their voices, respect their strength, resilience and unique perspectives.

The participants of this dream collaboration are selected from 58 different countries and paired with a mentor based on five some core values i.e creativity, inclusion, sustainability, Autonomy and self-awareness.

This was a partnership that made sense on several levels because UNESCO is responsible for protecting world cultural heritage sites as well as natural ones. In short, they moved together towards using fashion as a vehicle for positive change. 

The Dior Fashion House has more dimension than the surface level reputation of putting together collection after collection, they seek to create spaces where people can gain power through knowledge. Their influence does not stop at fashion but extends to cultural preservation and community outreach as well. Building a partnership with UNESCO came at a time when the partnership made sense. UNESCO's mission is to contribute to the building of a culture of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. Outside of the mentorship, this collaboration allows Dior to engagie with local workers, communities, organization all while preserving our fashion treasures for future generations.


Celebrating diversity in cultures is central to this coalition’s purpose as there is much that makes our world vibrant and lively. UNESCO and Dior is achieving this by initiating projects such as “Inspiring women,” which highlights exceptional women who have transformed their communities or society at large. In so doing, they encourage people embrace tradition while accepting each culture's distinctiveness.

However, the most powerful and impactful has been the education program that Dior joined with UNESCO in 2020. Under this great initiative disadvantaged young women from around countries like Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya, Jamaica etc. received opportunities of furthering their education.

“Talent is universal, but opportunity is not, especially for a generation of young women whose education has been severely affected by the pandemic. By joining the Global Coalition with an initiative that empowers and carries promise for the future, the Dior Couture House is sending a strong message of commitment and confidence, giving young women from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to fulfill their dreams”- Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director, General for Education

In the end the meaningful partnership between DIOR and UNESCO is not only fostering a positive change, empowering women and bringing communities together but also a proof to the world that when you work together with passion and purpose, you can achieve great things.

Cover Image: Evgenii Vasilenko / @slowstreet