Fashion’s #BlackLivesMatter Responsibility.
Music by: CjOnTheBeat – Alone.
It’s Pavel, founder of CULTED.
As global protests over the killing of George Floyd and against the disproportionate violence and murder of black people continue, luxury stores become targeted and tagged with words such as ‘Make America Pay’ and ‘Eat the Rich’, so we ask: what actions is the fashion industry – an industry that has long profited from and exploited black people and black culture – taking in response?
Nike’s ‘Don’t Do It’ campaign opened the door for brands to speak up and address an issue that has been ignored and pushed aside for far too long.
Brands have begun demonstrating an outpouring of supportive messages on their social platforms, standing in solidarity with the protests, but it has become clear that words are insufficient and speaking out is not enough. Brands have a responsibility to demonstrate their commitment and fight systemic racism through their support of black-owned businesses.
Designer Aurora James calls for more substantial actions, asking retailers to commit to buying 15% of their products from black-owned businesses, stating “we represent 15% of the population and we need to represent 15% of your shelf space”. “You want to be an ally?”, she asked, “this is what I’m asking for”.
Glossier announced that they will be donating $500,000 across organisations focused on combating racial injustice, and another $500,000 in grants to black-owned beauty businesses.
The small and emerging brand ASAI has also announced that from now on, a percentage of everything they create will be donated to Black Lives Matter.
Fashion media has also woken up, with publications like i-D and Dazed beginning to speak their minds, sharing resources and calling on the industry and the world to do better.
Throughout the day we will continue to post educational resources, and shed light on the pandemic that is systemic racism – and we hope you do the same.
Stay tuned.
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See also: MONDAY NEWS RUSH FEATURING NIKE’S ‘DON’T DO IT’ VIDEO
See also: THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD IN MINNEAPOLIS
