Fashion Revolution: Driving Transparency and Accountability in Fashion
Photo by Fashion Revolution
Fashion Revolution is a global movement advocating for a fairer, safer, and more transparent fashion industry. Founded in 2013 by Carry Somers and Orsola de Castro in response to the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh—which claimed over 1,100 lives—it has grown into the world’s largest fashion activism campaign, active in over 75 countries.
The organisation’s mission is to end human and environmental exploitation in fashion. It champions safe working conditions, living wages, and a fundamental shift away from the industry’s destructive throwaway culture. Fashion Revolution envisions a future where materials are used longer, waste is minimised, and craftsmanship is deeply respected.
At the heart of this mission lies a call to re-evaluate how we view clothing. We must move away from treating garments as disposable, low-cost commodities and begin to understand their true value—not just in terms of materials, but in recognising the time, skill, and human effort behind each piece. Every garment is the result of someone’s labour: hands that stitched, dyed, cut, and crafted. Valuing workers means valuing their craftsmanship and ensuring they are paid fairly, work safely, and are treated with dignity.
Fashion Revolution’s Fashion Transparency Index highlights how far the industry still has to go. In 2023, the average transparency score was just 18%, with many major brands failing to disclose even the most basic supply chain information.
This is where innovations like the Digital Product Passport (DPP) can be transformational. As part of upcoming EU regulation, the DPP will serve as a digital record detailing a product’s materials, origin, and journey through the supply chain. For consumers and buyers, it offers a window into how clothes are made—and by whom—empowering better choices and driving brands to uphold ethical standards.
Fashion Revolution also empowers people through education and activism. Campaigns like #WhoMadeMyClothes and Fashion Revolution Week reach millions each year, encouraging the public to ask questions and demand accountability. In 2020 alone, Fashion Revolution Week engaged 5.8 million people on social media and nearly 5 million through global media coverage.
Yet there’s still work to do. A recent survey found that while 39% of people shop sales, only 19% actively seek out sustainable options, and just 14% buy second-hand. This reveals a deep need to shift perceptions—not just in how we shop, but in how we respect clothing as a craft and honour the people who make it possible.
Through consumer education, policy advocacy, and pushing brands to do better, Fashion Revolution is challenging the industry to place people and planet at the core of fashion—and reminding us all that behind every garment is a story that deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.