How to Support BLM in the Fashion Industry

In the wake of an unarmed Black man's death at the hands of police officers and a tidal wave of civil unrest in America, many are left wondering, "What can I do?"

PHOTO: Johnny Silvercloud, Flickr

As members of the fashion industry, bloggers, influencers, stylists, designers and all those with a voice have a responsibility to assist in the recognition of the Black community and the Black Lives Matter movement.

This is a scary and confusing time. As allies of the Black community, those who have long benefited from their own privilege are now being encouraged more than ever to stand up for their Black brothers and sisters.

The fashion industry has been criticized in the past for whitewashing runways, appropriating Black culture and failing to recognize successful POC on all levels. Despite growth in terms of inclusion and attempts to equalize, the Black community is still severely underappreciated in the world of fashion.

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What can we do to show our support?

Allow me to preface by acknowledging that fashion is not the burning issue at hand in this country in regards to racism. I stand with the Black community in the fight against police brutality and the broken, racist system under which we live.

At the end of this post, I have included an index of sources for those looking to get involved in the fight.

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The industry in which we work and live can be altered in many ways to help equalize opportunities and rights for POC. Whether it be supporting Black creators on social media or purchasing from Black-owned brands, there is a plethora of ways that you can do your part.

1. Support Black Creators on Social Media

We have all seen the surge of support on social media for Black Lives Matter and related movements in days and weeks following George Floyd's death. Although social media is not the end all for this incredibly important revolution, it can be used as a tool to show support for the cause.

Follow Black creators. Like their posts. Comments on their posts. Share them. Let their voices be heard. Flood your followers' feeds with Black creatives.

These small actions will, of course, not solve the issue of systemic racism in the United States. However, it is a small step we, as white and non-Black Americans, can take to show support for our Black colleagues and peers in the fashion space.

Absorb their content. Learn from them. Support them. Let them know you're here. And continue to do so. Don't unfollow or loosen up on your support of Black creators once the streets are cleared and the protests end. Recognize the privilege gap and make an effort to close it.

Here are a few of my favorite Instagram accounts that are run by women of color.

@jazzmynejay

PHOTO: @jazzmynejay

@findingpaola

PHOTO: @findingpaola

@elainewelteroth

PHOTO: @elainewelteroth

@chrissyford

PHOTO: @chrissyford

@danielleprescod

PHOTO: @danielleprescod

@nycxclothes

PHOTO: @nycxclothes

@monroesteele

PHOTO: @monroesteele

@iamthriftjesus

PHOTO: @iamthriftjesus

2. Buy From Black-Owned Businesses

With the rise of Covid-19 and violent riots, many small, Black-owned businesses have been negatively impacted. The African American population has been disproportionately affected by Coronavirus, which of course presents issues. If Black business-owners are unable to open their doors, whether it be because they are sick, they need to care for a sick family member or because of social distancing measures, the chances that those doors will have to close for good increase daily. This will only further enforce the income inequality between minorities and the 1% in this country.

No matter how you feel about the looting and rioting that has been brought about by rising tensions in initially peaceful protests, there is no question that small, local businesses are being affected. Destroyed. Though many brick-and-mortar locations are being burned to their foundations, there are many Black-owned businesses that operate mostly online. Here are a few Black-owned brands that you can purchase from right now.

Fanm Djanm

@fanmdjanm

PHOTO: @fanmdjanm

Serendpitous Project

@serendipitousproject

PHOTO: @iridessence

Brother Vellies

@brothervellies

PHOTO: @brothervellies

Vogue has a more extensive list here.

Here is another source for small, Black-owned businesses, and here is another.

3. Buy From Businesses That Donate to Black-Owned Causes

A beautiful part of this revolution is the support among small business owners for their Black colleagues. Many companies are donating a portion or all of their profits to BLM or similar causes and organizations.

Here are some cool companies and their current donation policies.

CHNGE

They are closed on 6/2 to "take time to listen, learn, reflect, and raise awareness" (chnge.com). The site will reopen on 6/3 and will donate 100% of that day's sales to "various Black Lives Matter organizations" (chnge.com).

PHOTO: CHNGE

Fanm Djanm

15% of net sales for the weeks of 6/1 and 6/8 will be donated to The Loveland Foundation.

PHOTO: @fanmdjanm

Maddie's Market

50% of profits from the week of 6/1 will be donated to the foundation of each customer's choice.

PHOTO: @maddiesmarket

Madi Made

40% of profits from the week of 6/1 will be donated to various foundations.

PHOTO: @madimade__

Glamour has a more extensive list of big companies that are donating lump sums to BLM here.

4. Continue to Learn About Appropriation

If we go back to life as is after the smoke clears, we are the problem. The fashion industry needs to change. White designers and creators need to educate themselves on Black culture to assure they will not be appropriating their designs. To profit off a culture without having to endure its obstacles and traumas is a key aspect of white privilege and is incredibly disrespectful.

There is a lot of literature on this topic. Some articles I found interesting are listed below.

1. "What high fashion is doing about cultural appropriation" from BBC News

2. "What's Wrong with Cultural Appropriation? These 9 Answers Reveal Its Harm" from Everyday Feminism

3. "We need to talk about appropriation in fashion" from ABC Life

4. "Is Cultural Appropriation Braided into Fashion Coverage? An Examination of American Magazines" from Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications at Elon University

5. Demand Accountability in Brands

Even if you implement diversity and equality in your own creative space, you should demand the same of the companies you typically support. Many Black professionals have come forward to expose racism they have experienced at the hands of certain brands, magazines or other fashion mediums.

Quick example:

In February 2019, Katy Perry launched a shoe that was quickly condemned on social media for its likeness to blackface. The style was recalled.

PHOTO: NBC News

Do your research to ensure that you are not supporting insensitivity. Go one step further and voice your opposition. E-mail the companies. Call them. Call them out. Use your social media platforms to bring attention to racism (explicitly intended or otherwise) within businesses that their consumers may not be aware of.

During times like these, in the face of incredible division, pay attention to the response of companies you typically shop at. Have they made a statement? Have they donated? Are they continuing to discuss, or have they fallen silent?

Silence is compliance.

6. Reject Whitewashing on All Levels

Whether you are a designer, a consumer or both, you need to be active in the fight against racism. Recognize racism in companies you support or in your own. Countless brands have been criticized in the past for whitewashing. Excuses run rampant every year during Fashion Week that attempt to justify the lack of diversity on the runway.

The Fashion Law published a great article detailing these excuses, along with other issues during shows that are not blatantly racist but are designed to alienate the Black model, designer and consumer.

Again, do your research. Are you okay with giving money to a company that does not hire Black models for runway shows or photo campaigns? How about companies that have no POC in the high ranks of employment?

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As a country, we have a lot of work to do. As white people, we have a lot of work to do.

The internet is a beautiful thing. There is a myriad of resources online to help white folks understand their privilege and do something about it.

Like I said, the issue of racism in the United States extends far beyond the fashion industry. However, those of us in the industry have a duty to stand up for our Black sisters, brothers, peers and colleagues. This movement will go on long after the posters are thrown away, the crowds disperse and the social media posts slowly deteriorate. It is our job to keep the memory of George Floyd (and all his fallen brothers and sisters) alive through our work to unify and equalize.

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If you are a POC and/or have an opinion, comment, concern or otherwise that you would like to share, please DM me on Instagram or email me. I would love to hear from you and learn more about how to be an ally.

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Index

Posts You May Find Helpful:

1. https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0ymg0Hody/?igshid=22y55p6pvhb7

2. https://www.instagram.com/p/CA32C9vjBj-/?igshid=kku3ozoxs3xk

3. https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0J6aBFeZz/?igshid=1xxud5ipy5ag8

4. https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0CNOQjiCW/?igshid=14hwa83zur7xa

Updates on the Current Situation:

1. https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3sZirBGkQ/?igshid=19vwrt1dm86lt

2. https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-6gWYgTex/?igshid=qzu18kslu2oq

Where to Donate:

1. Black Lives Matter Campaign (blacklivesmatter.com)

2. Color of Change (colorofchange.org)

3. George Floyd Memorial Fund (gofundme.com)

4. The Loveland Foundation (thelovelandfoundation.org)

5. Minnesota Freedom Fund (minnesotafreedomfund.org) **currently requesting that donations go elsewhere**

6. The Bail Project (bailproject.org)

7. The Liberty Fund (libertyfund.nyc)

8. This Twitter thread provides a list of easy-click links to underfunded donation spots: https://twitter.com/sorrybythway/status/1267469168300998656?s=20

9. Join Campaign Zero (joincampaignzero.org)

Petitions to Sign:

1. Justice for George Floyd (Change.org)

2. Justice for Breonna Taylor (Change.org)

3. Raise the Degree (Change.org)

4. Justice for Amaud (Change.org)

5. Hands Up Act (Change.org)

Online Reading Material:

1. Color of Change

2. Equal Justice Initiative

3. Black Visions Collective

4. "How to Protest Safely During a Pandemic," VICE

5. Afroelle Magazine

6. "Opinion | The Case for Black with a Capital B," The New York Times

7. Here is an incredible resource for all types of material. It is a Google Doc organized by the amount of time you have to learn and research. Definitely check it out.