Fashion’s Timely Response to The Black Lives Matter Movement
The visceral response to the killing of George Floyd and other acts of police brutality across America is driving some fashion brands and designers to respond. Many of them are taking this time to examine their own organizations and think about how they can help foster racial equality and social justice in their own companies.
Fashion’s Response to the Black Lives Matter Movement
As the Black Lives Matter protests grow worldwide in New York, London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Los Angeles many companies are releasing statements of support for the movement. The Council of Fashion Designers of America, CFDA, announced it will create an employment program designed to help black talent enter the fashion industry.
Fashion brands, designers, and stylists are using their social media as a platform to inform and empower their followers. Some of them are also donating large sums to the Black Lives Matter movement and other social justice organizations. Here is a roundup of fashion’s response to the recent events.
LaSette
LaSette is a lingerie company that is made in Los Angeles California. Their mission is to create depth in your every day, challenge the norm, and give you the power to feel and look good! They are donating a portion of their June sales to Your Rights Camp, an organization founded by Colin Kaepernick. The organization aims to empower the youth by raising awareness and teaching youth how to interact with law enforcement.
Rent The Runway
Popular designer rental clothing company rent the runway is also donating to the cause. They put out a statement of support on their Instagram.
“Today, we are donating $100,000 to immediately support organizations combating racial injustice, including @NAACP and @blackvisionscollective. We will also be allocating an additional $1,000,000 to support Black designers through our wholesale, platform and co-manufacturing initiatives, which includes providing design resources, data, mentorship and financial support to create collections for RTR. It is critically important to us that a significant portion of our $1M goes towards launching fashion brands from Black designers who have not had the investment capital to launch on their own.”
Rent the Runway also posted a comprehensive list of ways to become better black ally and a list of black LGBTQ+ stories to read or watch.
H&M Group
Fashion retailer H&M posted a statement to their Instagram supporting equal rights for all and standing with the black community.
“We understand that this goes far beyond a social media post. We’ve learned the hard way how much work we still must do to live by the values we believe in. We’re committed to using our voice and influence to do our part and stand up against racism and discrimination.”
They went on to donate to multiple social justice organizations too. “Today, H&M group will donate 500 000 USD to @naacp, @colorofchange and @aclu_nationwide. We support these organisations in their efforts for justice, economic rights and democratic empowerment.”
Savage x Fenty
Rhianna’s lingerie brand Savage x Fenty posted a plea on Instagram for people to #Pullup.
“Now’s not the time to stay silent or stand by. Pull TF Up,” the caption says. It also outlines the brand’s plans to donate to The Bail Project, an organization that provides free bail for those who cannot afford to pay it, and @BLMGreaterNY, the New York-specific coalition of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Nike
Nike was quick to take a stand and support the movement. They launched an advertisement on TV on Friday of last week when the Black Lives Matter protests were taking place all over the country.
Nike has a history of taking a stand against racism. In 2018 they hired Colin Kaepernick to be the face of Nike in an ad that ran during the opening game of the NFL season. The new ad flips the band’s popular slogan around and comes off as an authentic brand response to the events that have taken place in America. We feel like other brands can take a page out of Nike’s playbook.
The Prada Group
Italian luxury design house Prada released a statement on their Instagram on June 1st.
“The Prada Group is outraged and saddened by the injustices facing the Black community and stands in steadfast support and solidarity against racism.
We raise our voice and continue to work with our Diversity and Inclusion Council to fight for racial justice everywhere.”
Alexa Chung
Alexa Chung’s founder said it made a donation to The Bail Project although the amount was not released to the public.
Balmain
French luxury design house Balmain donated to the NAACP and France’s SOS Racisme. They released a message of solidarity with the protesters who have come together on the streets to demand change.
Bergdorf Goodman
The fashion retailer said that through it’s parent company Neiman Marcus Group’s corporate giving program that it would it would “provide sustained commitments to organizations dedicated to racial equality; this includes initial donations to Black Lives Matter and Campaign Zero.”
Calvin Klein
Global fashion brand Calvin Klein said it would donate to the NAACP’s Legal Defense and Education Fund, the ACLU, and other organizations “that support the fight against racial and social injustice. “
Toms
Fashion brand Toms specifically called out injustices to “George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade and countless others.”
They showed support for the Black Lives Matter movement specifically by “donating $100,000 to organizations that are working to combat racial injustice, starting with a donation to Black Lives Matter.”
Spanx
Spanx shapewear and clothing company said it would it would donate $100,000 total across a few organizations, including Black Lives Matter, the NAACP’s Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Minnesota Freedom Fund. It also pledged to give $100,000 to groups in Atlanta, where the company is based.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks Fifth Avenue posted a message on Instagram addressed to its family. They spoke of their sadness for the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many others. They also promised to invest in the growing careers of diverse fashion leaders. The brand also made a donation of $100,000 donation to the Black Action Retail Group.
Olivia von Halle
The U.K.-based brand promised it would donate an undisclosed amount to the Know Your Rights Camp founded by Colin Kaepernick. The also said,” If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor,” a quote by Desmond Tutu.
Michael Kors
The founder of the brand Michael Kors made a personal donation to the NAACP’s Legal Defense and Education Fund. Additionally, Michael Kores stated, “…we intend to contribute to other social justice, legal and educational organizations to support diversity and inclusion in the future. We look forward to updating you on our progress.”
Lululemon
Activewear brand Lululemon admitted in the past that they haven’t alwalys gotten it right. They chose to speak upbecuase they value every single human being.
The brand stated, “We are making a $100,000 donation to the Minnesota Freedom Fund. And we know that to be a stand against inequity and injustice of any kind, we all need to do so much more.”
J Crew
Retailer J Crew made a donation for an undisclosed amount to the ACLU and that, through its corporate associate match program, it would also be giving money to the NAACP, Coalition of Communities of Color and Black Lives Matter.
Vans
Shoe and apparel company Vans donated $100,000 to the NAACP, $50,000 to Color of Change, and $50,000 to GSA Network. They released a statement that said, “There is no place for hatred or bigotry in our family. We stand in solidarity with the Black community. Black Lives Matter.”
Victoria’s Secret
Victoria’s Secret CEO Andrew Meslow, said the company would “increase [its] investment by at least $1 million in organizations that fund the fight against racism and inequality,” though it didn’t specify which groups would receive donations.
Fashion is Speaking Out
Designer’s stylist and fashion brands who are speaking up and standing with the Black Lives Matter movement have been met with both praise and scorn. Fashion has a long way to go to promote equality in its own industry and members of the Black Lives Matter movement will hold them to it. Now it is left up to the shoppers to choose which brands they agree with and which brands are worthy of their dollars.
Read more of our fashion articles and leave us comment below to tell us what you think about fashion’s response to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Editor-in-chief and Writer at Lifestyle Dash.
Your source for the latest in fashion and beauty trends, fitness, entertainment, healthy-living, home decor, and more! Your Life in a Dash.
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Meet Amanda Clark. She is the Editor-In-Chief and Web Designer at Lifestyle Dash. Your source for the latest in fashion and beauty trends, fitness, entertainment, healthy-living, home decor, and more!