High fashion brands including Chanel and Versace are among the worst labels when it comes to transparency about workers conditions and environmental impact in its supply chain, according to a new report by Fashion Revolution.
Brands were ranked on a point system that accessed how open they were about the supply chain, who was responsible for workers conditions, and how the brand responded to trade unions and gender issues.
Chanel, Versace, Dior, Marc Jacobs and Dolce & Gabbana were the lowest ranked brands, at less than 10 percent transparency, alongside Sports Direct and Urban Outfitters.
adidas, Reebok, Puma, and H&M received scores between 51 to 60 percent, making them the most transparent labels featured in the report. Levi's, Vans, The North Face, Timberland, and Zara followed closely behind at 41 to 50 percent transparency.
The Fashion Revolution was set up in response to the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013 when 1,138 garment workers died and more than 2,000 were injured after the Rana Plaza factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, collapsed. Major brands like Primark, Wallmart, and Inditex, Zara's parent company, had their clothes made at the site.
As Fashion Revolution explain, transparency is the first step toward change. Firstly, companies need to be aware who makes their clothes every step of the way so they can ensure that their supply chain isn't harming workers or the environment. Secondly, consumers should know exactly where and under what conditions their clothes were made, so we can make empowered decisions on where — or where not to — shop.
However, Zara's high ranking proves that transparency is just the first step towards becoming an ethical company, as the fast fashion retailer has been accused of using child and slave labor on multiple occasions.
Read the full report Fashion Revolution report below.
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