Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
1. 35% of global consumers actively seek ethical and sustainable fashion choices
2. 93% of brands surveyed by Fashion Revolution do not publish the number of workers in their supply chain
3. Only 12% of brands disclose a detailed wage methodology as per the Fashion Transparency Index 2023
4. In 2021, only 27% of brands published their processing facilities
5. Fashion Revolution Week is now marked in over 100 countries worldwide
6. Fashion Revolution’s hashtags #WhoMadeMyClothes and #IMadeYourClothes have reached millions on social media
7. The Fashion Transparency Index grew from assessing 40 brands in 2016 to 250 brands in 2023
8. 38% of brands scored 20% or less in the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index
9. Just 3% of brands scored between 70–80% for supply chain transparency in the 2022 Index
10. In 2023, less than 1% of brands scored over 80% in the Fashion Transparency Index
11. 51% of brands published a policy on equal pay
12. The 2021 Transparency Index revealed that 62% of brands disclose their policies on forced labor
13. Only 6% of brands disclose how many workers are paid a living wage
Brand Transparency and Disclosure
- 2. 93% of brands surveyed by Fashion Revolution do not publish the number of workers in their supply chain
- 3. Only 12% of brands disclose a detailed wage methodology as per the Fashion Transparency Index 2023
- 4. In 2021, only 27% of brands published their processing facilities
- 7. The Fashion Transparency Index grew from assessing 40 brands in 2016 to 250 brands in 2023
- 8. 38% of brands scored 20% or less in the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index
- 9. Just 3% of brands scored between 70–80% for supply chain transparency in the 2022 Index
- 10. In 2023, less than 1% of brands scored over 80% in the Fashion Transparency Index
- 11. 51% of brands published a policy on equal pay
- 12. The 2021 Transparency Index revealed that 62% of brands disclose their policies on forced labor
- 13. Only 6% of brands disclose how many workers are paid a living wage
- 14. As of 2022, 29% of surveyed brands published their raw material suppliers
- 18. Only 20% of large brands publicly disclose their environmental impact across the full value chain
- 20. Only 11% of brands disclose a roadmap for achieving a living wage across their supplier base
- 22. As of 2023, just 16% of brands track the gender breakdown of workers at different supply chain levels
- 23. 23% of brands publish carbon emissions at the raw material level
- 24. In 2022, 48% of brands disclosed auditing processes in their supply chains
- 25. Only 24% of brands disclose details of their grievance mechanisms for workers
- 28. 11% of brands disclose the percentage of production made from recycled materials
- 29. In 2023, only 9% of brands disclosed information about purchasing practices and payment terms
- 31. 73% of fashion brands do not disclose their wastewater discharge figures
- 32. In 2023, just 10% of brands disclosed their commitment to reducing overproduction
- 33. Only 3% of brands reveal the annual volume of products discarded before sale
- 34. Just 22% of major brands report annually on circularity or take-back schemes
- 36. Only 18% of brands disclose their approach to tax policy or payment
- 37. Less than 2% of surveyed brands disclose how many workers are unionized
- 38. In 2023, just 31% of brands provided data on supplier assessments or evaluations
- 40. Over 500 designers have committed to Fashion Revolution’s transparency goals
- 41. Only 14% of fashion brands publish evidence of closing the loop in their production cycle
- 43. As of 2022, 34% of brands disclose some data on fiber selection or sourcing practices
- 44. 9% of brands disclose policies on racial diversity in their workforce or leadership
- 45. Only 8% of brands publish figures on product durability or lifespan
- 46. In 2021, 58% of consumers said brand honesty was a deciding factor in shopping
- 49. Only 13% of fashion brands disclose purchase order lead times
- 50. 19% of brands disclose their CEO's compensation or salary ratio
- 52. Fashion Revolution’s transparency index has influenced policy debates in the EU and UK
- 53. 28% of major brands in 2023 report progress on decarbonization targets
- 54. Only 4% of brands disclose any child labor audits or related findings
- 56. As of 2023, 31% of brands disclose initiatives to tackle gender-based violence in the supply chain
- 57. Only 15% of brands disclose details about subcontracting practices
- 59. Only 14% of brands disclose if their suppliers are covered by collective bargaining agreements
- 60. Just 6% of brands report on supplier diversity and inclusion
- 61. Fashion Transparency Index is widely used by investors and procurement offices
- 62. Just 25% of brands disclose fiber-to-fabric mapping
- 63. Only 17% of brands disclose renewable energy usage in supply chains
- 64. As of 2023, 14% of brands give financial incentives to suppliers delivering transparency goals
- 65. Less than 10% of brands published circular economy metrics
- 69. In 2023, just 12% of brands described their approach to reducing toxic chemical usage
- 72. Only 10% of companies publish evidence of attending regular training on responsible sourcing
- 73. 23% of brands publish the percentage of orders delivered with labor rights guaranteed
- 75. Just 18% of brands disclose efforts relating to disability inclusion in their workforce
Interpretation
Despite decades of glossy marketing and runway declarations, the fashion industry still treats transparency like last season’s trend—acknowledged in theory, but rarely seen on the rack.
Consumer Behavior and Awareness
- 1. 35% of global consumers actively seek ethical and sustainable fashion choices
- 19. Fashion Revolution’s 2020 survey indicated that 70% of consumers want to know how brands are addressing environmental and social issues
- 21. Fashion Revolution was founded on April 24, 2013, in response to the Rana Plaza collapse
- 55. 47% of consumers surveyed in 2020 were unaware of how their clothes were made
- 58. In 2020, 65% of consumers wanted government regulation of fashion
- 68. 30% of consumers reported buying fewer clothes due to awareness of garment workers' rights
Interpretation
As the threads of consumer conscience tighten—35% choosing ethics, 70% demanding transparency, and 65% calling for regulation—it’s clear that in the wake of Rana Plaza, fashion’s dark seams can no longer be hemmed in ignorance, even if 47% still don’t know who’s really sewing their shirts.
Global Participation and Outreach
- 5. Fashion Revolution Week is now marked in over 100 countries worldwide
- 6. Fashion Revolution’s hashtags #WhoMadeMyClothes and #IMadeYourClothes have reached millions on social media
- 15. Over 80,000 people worldwide have asked brands #WhoMadeMyClothes
- 16. Fashion Revolution has permanent teams in over 90 countries
- 17. The organization works with more than 1,000 students annually through its education programs
- 26. Fashion Revolution’s online resources have been accessed by over 2 million users globally
- 27. Fashion Revolution's Manifesto has been translated into more than 15 languages
- 30. More than 4,000 educational institutions globally are connected to Fashion Revolution’s curriculum
- 35. Over 200 universities have partnered with Fashion Revolution to host events
- 39. Fashion Revolution’s digital campaigns have had over 1 billion online impressions since inception
- 47. Less than 25% of global sustainable fashion policies meet UN SDGs
- 48. Fashion Revolution’s annual reports have been downloaded in 120+ countries
- 51. Over 2,000 events take place globally during Fashion Revolution Week
- 66. 20% of fashion students used Fashion Revolution worksheets in 2022
- 70. Fashion Revolution’s materials are used in over 20 major fashion school curricula
- 71. Over 3,000 designers have submitted to Fashion Revolution’s exhibitions and competitions
Interpretation
Fashion Revolution isn’t just a hashtag—it’s a global force turning runway whispers into a resounding call for accountability, with millions of informed students, designers, and citizens in over 100 countries asking one simple, world-shifting question: #WhoMadeMyClothes?
Innovation and Material Use
- 67. Less than 0.2% of clothing now gets recycled into new clothing fibers globally
Interpretation
With less than 0.2% of clothing being reborn as new fibers, the fashion industry talks circularity but still prefers a one-way catwalk to the landfill.
Sustainable and Ethical Practices
- 42. 70% of fashion graduates report wanting more education on sustainable practices
- 74. Only 7% of fashion brands used recycled water in production according to 2023 data
Interpretation
While fashion students are thirsty for sustainable knowledge, only a trickle of brands are actually recycling water—highlighting a serious drought in eco-conscious action.