How is Fashion Revolution holding worldwide organisations accountable for the damages they cause?

Welcome to Fashion Revolution Week! For context, the organisation Fashion Revolution holds a weeklong annual campaign which brings the whole world together to support activists in the fashion industry fighting for a better, more transparent industry.

This annual series of online and physical events and discussions were first brought to life around the anniversary of the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in which over 1100 garment workers (mostly women) died in this horrific industrial incident. Since then, with the help of Fashion Revolution, the industry has vowed to do better, making sure that businesses increase transparency and consciousness within supply chains, operations and their planet and people impact.The fashion industry has a long journey ahead, but each year is a step in the right direction, with more businesses opting for a higher sustainability offering and taking the future seriously.

This year’s Fashion Revolution week is MONEY FASHION POWER, focusing on the wealth of a handful of individuals, as a direct result of exploitation and undervaluing of garment workers that are vital in creating these large profits. When production was first moved overseas, there was the idea that both westernised countries and eastern countries would benefit from this substantial move, creating employment in the east and lowering prices whilst increasing speed of production for the west. However, over time this has brutally become a gross mis justice of poor pay, working conditions and working hours for factory workers, in order to provide for their families. Hence the beginning of Fashion Revolution, to give workers in the fashion supply chain a voice, and create immediate and continuing change.

“As global citizens, we all have the power to take action. Now is the time to rise up together for a regenerative, restorative and revolutionary new fashion system. Now is the time for a Fashion Revolution.”

Transparency allows activists to see clearer potential indicators of bad environmental and social practices, through highlighting the good and the bad. For example in last years annual Transparency Index, there were many brands with 0% transparency, which is a key finding in order to act upon these brands. We can then begin to question why this is and processes that can create a fairer environment within these brands. It matters as, with these reports, consumers can see who is making a conscious effort to better the industry and treat workers on their supply chain as they should be treated.

The Transparency Index (outlining worldwide brands and their effects on the planet) also puts a spotlight on brands that have some transparency, but aren't doing quite enough for the revolutionary movement. Additionally, the index commends those that have changed production and outsourcing methods to make their brands more positive. Last year, 250 brands took part in Fashion Revolution's Transparency Index, which focused on creating major milestones in understanding where the fashion industry is going wrong and its biggest impacts on our society. Including helping to form a better industry, and the Transparency Index also helps to set goals and recognise achievements too. Over time, we can also see how far the industry has come through transparency results, and hopefully see the decline in overall impacts of the profitable industry. Transparency does not equal sustainability, but it does help start the conversation.

One of the most important outcomes from identifying brands through transparency is seeing a yearly increase, rather than a decline, which further creates brand role-models to follow within the industry.

Have there been any brands you regularly shop with that have a low transparency in the industry?

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