Currently, the US is dealing with a lot of upheaval. COVID-19 is not going anywhere any time soon. The Black Lives Matter movement is taking place louder than ever; as it should. Along with that, the fashion industry is being called out on all of their racism, greed, and misconduct.
First, things first. Look around…how many black models or people of color do you see in a magazine, ads, billboards, online shopping sites? There is little representation; if any. Why is there such little representation of black women in the fashion industry? It is an industry built on catering to the eye of a white consumer. However, this leaves out an entire population of human beings who are also consumers who should be represented.
As a white woman I have never had to look around and wonder where my representation is. I know that when I browse through fashion magazines and shop online or walk through a department store there will be someone who looks like me and probably a lot of someone’s.
A black model shared, “The most common issue I run into is having to bring my own foundation to set. Models, generally, are not asked to bring their own foundation to a shoot because that’s the job of the makeup artist…”
While there is a lack of representation in the media there is an overwhelming representation of women who are of color. “Today, global fashion continues to depend on the exploitation of non-white, poor, and mostly female workers and communities in the Global South. https://newrepublic.com/article/153596/fix-fashion-industrys-racism
Brands have created a production model that keeps garment workers poor and working in unsafe conditions to maximize their own profits.” https://amp.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/jun/11/racism-is-at-the-heart-of-fast-fashion-its-time-for-change
The COVID-19 epidemic is bringing hardship to western clothing brands; causing them to abandon payment on the huge orders placed that are already in production. This leaves the factories with piles of fabric that won’t ever be paid for and garment workers who also won’t get paid. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/apr/02/fashion-brands-cancellations-of-24bn-orders-catastrophic-for-bangladesh
There are brands who are choosing to honor their financial agreement. Unfortunately, the garment supply chain is set up for the supplies to take all the risk. They buy all the cloth, hire the workers, make the clothes, and an invoice is shipped. However, with brands canceling after already placing their order. They are not honoring their commitment. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/apr/02/fashion-brands-cancellations-of-24bn-orders-catastrophic-for-bangladesh
Fashion is so much fun. But, when things like this are taking place it’s no longer fun. It can’t be. Fast fashion is built to build the rich up and keep the poor down. People matter. Cheap fashion does not take into consideration the lives behind the work. The horrific conditions physically, emotionally, financially. We as a human race should care for each other and where we spend our money makes a huge impact!
I sincerely encourage you to consider where you shop. Where you hard earned money goes and what it is supporting. You can help to bring change by joining the PayUp Movement. Support The Fashion Revolution and Fair Wear Foundation.
You can find ethical places to shop by searching, “The Ethical List by Bethany Tran-issuu” www.issuu.com https://issuu.com/bethanytran/docs/final_ethical_ebook_2015___1_
Thank you for taking the time to read. Here’s to ethical shopping and supporting our neighbors.
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