The unspoken intersection between fashion and social responsibility
Most of us love the giddy feeling we get when we purchase clothes. The rush of imagining what we will wear it with, how we will style it, and the overwhelming urge to get a picture to show everyone just how stylish we are.
But, did you know fashion directly intersects with social responsibility, and our purchasing decisions directly influence others around the world.
So, what exactly is social responsibility?
Social Responsibility
Social responsibility, in the context of fashion and beyond, refers to the ethical and moral obligations that individuals, organisations, and society as a whole have toward the well-being of people, the environment, and communities.
Social responsibility is a commitment to making choices that create positive change and minimise harm in all aspects of life. But what does this have to do with buying the latest coat, freshest trainers, or TikTok trending dress?
Let me explain the connections…
Fair Wages and Labor Practices
Picture this, you’ve just bought a stunning two piece to wear to the office for work. It was a bargain. You paid £20 for it and you can’t believe how good it looks.
You go to work feeling unstoppable. But then, you check your bank account and you’ve only earnt a fraction of what you should have for all the hard work you put in on your 8 hour stint.
You become enraged. Why should you be paid so poorly for working hard, especially when you looked so good?
Now imagine you are a garment worker, working 12+ hour days in a factory to make the two piece you just picked up at a bargain price. You would think these workers would, at the very least, be paid a living wage to support themselves and their families, considering their work brings so much joy to others around the world.
But you would be wrong.
In fact, according to Fashion Revolution, it’s estimated less than 2% of global garment workers are paid a livable salary. With the global economy facing a cost of living crisis, this is making it increasingly difficult for garment workers to support even their most basic needs like food and shelter.
Gender inequality
Gender inequality is prevalent in the fashion supply chain, affecting women disproportionately.
Studies have shown that, on average, women consume more clothes than men, and women also make more clothes than men. According to Labour Behind the Label, 80% of garment workers are female.
Sexual harassment, inadequate sanitation facilities, and a lack of safety measures in factories are common gender-specific issues faced by female garment workers, having a negative impact on their health and well-being.
Women working in the garment industry are also penalised for wanting to start a family. The Clean Clothes Campaign found women in some factories were asked intrusive questions upon employment, such as if they are married, and forced to sign contracts forbidding them from becoming pregnant during their term of employment.
Unsurprisingly, management and decision-making roles in the fashion industry are dominated by men, ensuring women are not represented or able to have their say, furthering gender inequality in the fashion industry and impacting policy-making and overall workplace culture.
Transparency (or lack of)
Us consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the impacts of our purchases, wanting to support brands whose values align with our own.
Brands that are transparent about their sourcing, production methods, supply chain and labour practices contribute to a more informed consumer base. Holding themselves accountable ensures that they're working toward better practices, fostering trust with consumers.
The more consumers vote with their pounds (or dollars, euros, yen etc, you get the point!) for socially responsible brands, the more the demand will increase and the market will be influenced.
This support increases demand for products from ethical businesses and encourages others, including competitors, to adopt similar values and practices to meet consumer expectations.
But how do you know if a brand is transparent?
Well, (spolier alert) most aren’t! And that is because many brands would rather not publish information on where their materials are sourced, under what conditions they are produced, or how much garment workers are being paid. You can imagine why…
However, Fashion Revolution is doing God’s work, producing an annual Fashion Transparency Index report, highlighting how much information the world’s largest fashion brands disclose about their supply chain practices, labour conditions and environmental impacts. Check out the 2023 report to see how your favourite brands are rated!
In a world driven by trends and style, it’s easy to overlook the invisible threads connecting fashion with social responsibility.
But with each purchase, we cast a vote for the kind of world we want to live in. Social responsibility in fashion isn’t just a tagline; it's about fair wages, gender equality, and transparency.
Making informed (as opposed to impulse) decisions about what we buy and who we support, influences the market, driving progress towards a more responsible and fair fashion industry.
Let’s not forget that our purchasing power holds significant influence, advocating for more accountable practices and positive change within the industry.
