London department stores smash own windows

London department stores including Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Fortnum & Mason have smashed their own windows to commemorate the centenary of women’s voting rights.

The move is the result of a partnership between the British Fashion Council (BFC) and the Mayor of London’s ‘Behind Every Great City’ campaign. The mayoral campaign aims to celebrate the drive for gender equality in London, with deputy mayor Justine Simons saying “London was at the heart of the fight for women’s suffrage”.

Stores worked alongside Mayor of London and the BFC to create the shattered window displays which aim to pay homage to the West End street protests of 1912. In the smashed windows will sit collections of quotes from female protesters past and present, as well as footage of the protests themselves.

Each store has pledged to commitments to empowering women and advancing their careers in fashion and retail. As many as 65% of Fortnum and Mason’s managerial team are female, while 59% of Harvey Nichols ‘upper pay bracket’ are women. Harrods was the first store to offer a staff training department for women, and even continued to stock feminist titles after the store was targeted by suffragettes.

Caroline Rush, CBE and CEO, said: “The British fashion industry is known for its creativity, diversity and inclusivity, so I was thrilled to see our industry get behind this very important campaign.”