GET INVOLVED GUIDE
By Sabinna Rachimova Fashion Revolution Austria
ABOUTFASHIONREVOLUTIONWEEK
Fashion Revolution is a global nonprofit advocating for a clean, safe, fair, transparent, and accountable fashion industry. With a Global Network of 80 country teams and counting, we mobilise citizens, brands, and policymakers through research, education, and advocacy.
Fashion Revolution Week is our annual campaign bringing together the world’s largest fashion activism movement to showcase activist projects worldwide, challenge how fashion is made and consumed, and inspire collective action.
INDUSTRY
A clean, safe, fair, transparent and accountable fashion industry that considers people and the environment and respects the specificities of each global region
More equitable relationships between brands and other stakeholders such as workers and suppliers
Demanding transparency
Awareness of the impacts and challenges
A cultural shift in the way citizens approach, understand and consume fashion
CULTURE
Public campaigning
A fashion ecosystem that respects the environment and people, recognizes global diversity and builds new collaborative solutions towards effective system changes
Bridges and partnerships
Share knowledge as a trusted platform
Direct, impactful action
Research
Advocacy
Increase in transparency, improved working conditions, lessened environmental impacts & corporal accountability
Robust regulatory legislation in place nationally and regionally
THEME
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
EMPOWERINGCITIZENSTOENGAGE
THEIRLOCALPOLICYMAKERS
This year, we will harness the transformative power of collective action to drive systemic change.
By uniting through our global network, we can amplify our voices, pool our resources, and hold one another accountable.
Community is not just a group of individuals; it is a powerful tool for justice that can transform fear, anger, and grief, into hope.
As powerful stakeholders, brands and governments can and should drive change. But each of us as individuals can play an important role in mobilising brands and governments to take ambitious actions.
Through the collective action of our global network, we can promote a change in mindset and in business models that move us away from eternal growth and business as usual to innovative models and systems that remain within planetary boundaries.
WHO CAN GET INVOLVED?
Anybody and everybody! We are all part of the fashion ecosystem. We especially encourage citizens, academia, workers, brand executives, policymakers, media, and influencers to get involved.
We each play a crucial role in driving change to build a fairer, cleaner, and more transparent fashion industry.
KEY MESSAGES
Global issues manifest differently in each region
Each country and region of the world participates in and is affected by the global fashion system differently. Having an understanding of how your community, region, and country fit into the bigger global picture is essential if we are to shift the global fashion system to a more sustainable one.
Small actions can lead to a big impact
Individual efforts, when multiplied by tens and hundreds and thousands of people, create powerful movements that cannot be ignored. We need to focus and streamline our vast network of voices to change the very rules the fashion industry plays by.
We are stronger together
Our organisation spans 80 countries, allowing us to share regional insights and understanding of the global industry's overwhelming problems. Through our global network, we can think collectively, raise visibility, apply pressure to stakeholders, and learn from each other to drive meaningful policy change that holds brands legally accountable.
22nd – 27th April 2025
THEURGENCYOFA FASHIONREVOLUTION
1.5o CONSUMPTIO PROJECTED TO INCREASE BY 63% BY 203O
The industry continues to produce at staggering volumes, with global consumption projected to increase 63% by 2030, with total clothing sales potentially reaching 160 million tonnes by 2050, more than three times today’s amount.
Circular Business Models
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Some projections indicate the fashion sector alone will overshoot the 1 5°C target by 50%.
McKinsey
26.6 MILLION TONS OF
26.6 M tonnes of textile waste have been mapped in 12 countries so far by The World of Waste.
The World of Waste
24%
The global fashion industry is not transparent about how much water is consumed in the manufacturing and processing of our clothes - with just 24% of brands disclosing this information.
The Fashion Transparency Index 2023 Fashion Revolution
50 MILLION PEOPLE WERE LIVING IN MODERN SLAVERY
In 2021, 50 million people were living in modern slavery, 12 million of them were children Walk Free Foundation
1%
The Global Fashion Transparency Index 2023 found that 99% of brands reviewed did not disclose the percentage of workers in their supply chain paid a living wage rate.
The Fashion Transparency Index 2023 Fashion Revolution
SPECIE POPULATIO DROP
species populations ha while the human population has doubled. The World Economic Forum warns that over $44 trillion more than 50% of global GDP is at risk if we fail to halt nature degradation by 2030.
The Nature and Biodiversity Playbook for Business Bain & Company
LOSS OF ~ONE MILLION JOBS
11%
Although estimates suggest between 80bn to 150bn new garments are produced each year, the true size of the global fashion industry is unknown because just 11% of big fashion brands reviewed in What Fuels Fashion Report disclose their production volumes. The OR FoundationCampaign encourages brands to disclose their production volumes in their Speak Volumes campaign.
It is estimated that extreme weather events could lead to the loss of nearly one million jobs in the fashion sector. However, What Fuels Fashion finds that big fashion brands are not taking sufficient action to protect workers in their supply chain - either from job loss or any other climate hazards with just 4% of brands disclosing efforts to retain and/or up-skill supply chain workers whose jobs are at risk and just 4% publicly commit to a just transition strategy
ILR
What Fuels Fashion? Fashion Revolution
8
AMAZON DEFORESTATION
Over 100 brands have supply-chain links to Brazilian leather exporters, including JBS, the largest exporter known to engage in Amazon deforestation
Nowhere to Hide: How the Fashion Industry Is Linked to Amazon Rainforest Destruction Stand.earth
000+ SYNTHETI CHEMICALS ,
While an estimated 8,000+ synthetic chemicals are used in the fashion manufacturing process, just 35% of big fashion brands disclose a Manufacturing Restricted Substances List outlining what chemicals are used to make our clothes
How toxic are the textiles that we consume? Green MEP
The Fashion Transparency Index 2023 Fashion Revolution
WHATWEARETRYINGTOACHIEVE
We aknowledge that the fashion industry’s impact - and the solutions required - varies by region, community, and context. We encourage teams to prioritise the issues that matter most in their regions by using our industry overview and identify your local issues toolkit
Examples of problems some regions might face
Growth Mindset
With a mindset focused on eternal growth, brands in the fashion industry need to change their approach and start thinking differently. Extended responsibility and accountability is another industry paradigm we should overcome.
Disconnection
Individuals frequently feel isolated and disorganised, hindering the effectiveness of collective action.
Unawareness
While many people recognize the issues within the global fashion industry, they often lack clarity on how to actively contribute to solutions.
Hopelessness
The scale of these challenges can feel overwhelming, leaving people with a sense of helplessness regarding their ability to make a meaningful impact. It’s a common thought that only brands and governments can and should drive change.
Possible solutions to the example problems
New models
Highlighting innovative and successful business models will help shift mindsets and expand the possibilities of what can be achieved.
Collectiveness
By coming together to analyse the challenges we face, we can collaboratively define a roadmap for action. We have the power to change the rules and laws that govern the fashion industry.
The
result we want to see
Information
Gaining an understanding of how global issues manifest in our local communities is the first step toward contributing to solutions.
Empowerment
With the right opportunities and tools, even small actions from citizens can lead to significant change.
Citizens can put pressure on local policymakers who can then put pressure on the private sector through regulations.
BE CURIOUS
ASKQUESTIONS
What are the issues?
Observe, investigate, and inquire about what’s happening in your local fashion industry.
What is your place?
How is your community, region, or country involved in the global supply chain?
Who is involved?
Who are the main stakeholders and decisionmakers in your local industry and government?
What are the current policies?
Learn about the existing legislature regarding these key issues. How does it need to change?
What is currently being done? How can you actively support policy advancements?
Prompts:
Make a list of potential stakeholders: community leaders, NGOs, small businesses, influencers, policymakers
Who of these stakeholders could be an ally, an advocate, or even a detractor in your identified issue?
Use our Identify Your Local Issues Toolkit
You can use the SMART framework to set your objectives:
S A M R T
Specific: clearly define what you want to achieve
Measurable: include quantifiable indicators of success
Achievable: ensure that goals are realistic given available resources
Relevant: align with stakeholder needs and campaign goals
Time-bound: set clear deadlines or timelines for completion
FIND OUT
ORGANISEANDPREPARE
Research
Collect contact information in a spreadsheet of decisionmakers, stakeholders, and policymakers who are addressing your key issues.
Get together
Include worker's voices
Make sure you are taking into consideration voices from the supply chain who have experience organizing collectively (e.g. Unions).
From a webinar to a mend-in-public-day, to allow you to regroup and discuss issues and solutions, make yourself visible, and put together a plan to engage policymakers.
Connect with your local country team
DO SOMETHING
Gather together
There are many events going on around the world to connect us as fashion revolutionaries, if you can’t find an event near you, why not organise your own? Simply find a public space, gather a group of like-minded individuals and get to work!
Build a roadmap for action
Ask: What needs to happen, who needs to be involved? What resources do you need?
Engage your local policymakers
Find an event near you on our event calendar
Policymaking is often a collaborative and iterative process involving multiple stakeholders acting in concert, who contribute diverse perspectives to shape effective, inclusive policies.
Tip
When building your network and making connections, you may not connect with the best point person right off the bat. It is ok to CC or BCC multiple stakeholders at once when reaching out, and it's also ok to ask for a referral to the best person with whom to discuss an issue further
Use our Engage Your Policymakers Toolkit
When addressing members of parliament and government officials, you may wish to follow the EPIC format:
EEngage your MP
Get your MP’s attention with a significant fact or short statement. State the problem
P I C
Present the causes of the problem you just introduced. How widespread or serious is the problem? Inform the MP about the solutions
Develop your solution by giving examples of how and where it has worked, how it is cost-effective and how it has benefited the poorest.
Call to Action
Now that you’ve engaged your MP, presented the problem and informed them of a solution, you need to let them know what you want them to do about it.
HOWDOWEMEASURESUCCESS?
Reach of social media campaign
Number of partners for Fashion Revolution Week
Number of connections registered in a data base
Total funds raised for Fashion Revolution Week
Number of events held during the campaign
Number ofnewvolunteers
Community plans to engage governments
Number of engagements with social media content
Media clippings and their reach
Number of attendees to the events
Number of Municipal, State, or Federal Governments engaged
Downloads of content published in our website
Number of attempts to engage Governments
Mindset change as a result of collective organising
HOWYOUCANHELP
For volunteers and organisers:
While executing your plan, track your progress and gather evidence of engagement:
Who did you reach?
Did they respond?
How many events happened?
How many people attended?
For participants:
We will conduct a survey before and 6 months after the campaign to measure a change in mindset and behaviours due to the campaign.
Respond to this survey to make note of the results we achieved together. Reflect on what worked and what didn’t and any learnings for next time.
MORE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
Find your country
Connect with our community of Fashion Revolutionaries across 80 countries for local events and actions.
Download campaign assets
Stay in the know
Sign up to our newsletter for regular campaign updates.
Download social media assets, brand guidelines and campaign posters to help us spread the word.
Donate to us
Your donation will fund our global movement for a fair, safe, clean, transparent and accountable fashion industry.
Invite your friends
Share this guide with your family, friends and colleagues and invite them to get involved with Fashion Revolution Week.
Get social
Follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn and search for Fash Rev on Instagram stories to use branded gifs and stickers
10 TIPS & GOOD PRACTICES
Educate Yourself
Engage others through outreach, dialogue, and social media to inspire participation in the cause. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Research the issue, listen to impacted communities, and stay updated through credible sources.
Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
Understand your legal rights for protesting and speaking out, and engage respectfully with others.
Find Your Focus
Choose a cause that resonates personally, and prioritise specific aspects where you can make a meaningful impact.
Join or Start a Group
Research existing organisations or start your own to organise efforts and collaborate effectively.
Practise Nonviolent Communication
Express views calmly, listen actively, and foster dialogue without aggression.
Build Alliances and Partnerships
Partner with like-minded individuals or groups, recognising the intersections of different social issues.
Use Digital Tools Wisely
Leverage social media and digital content to raise awareness, organise events, and support petitions or fundraising efforts.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Pace yourself in activism, set boundaries, and seek emotional support when needed.
Measure and Reflect on Your Impact
Track progress, celebrate small wins, and adjust strategies as necessary.
Encourage Participation and Spread the Word
“Joining Fashion Revolution is the most meaningful decision I ever made. Do something to help, then life gets interesting.
SHARIFA
JAMALDIN FASHION REVOLUTION BELGIUM
“The world has a lot to learn about how to embody the principles of circular living, sustainable practices and working with nature as the most organic and innately logical thing to do; and this is a way of living that has existed in many indigenous African communities for centuries.
HALEEMA MEKANI FASHION REVOLUTION ZIMBABWE
“
We are
becoming more and more fashion revolutionaries. Or maybe we have always been many and we are just finding ourselves.
ELOISA PONCE DE LEÓN FASHION REVOLUTION URUGUAY
“Never stop learning and reflecting. It’s so important to take different angles as a fashion activist and as a movement. Often there is not only one way but many and all can be helpful to achieve your goals. Talk about it and inspire others!
ARIANE PIPER
FASHION REVOLUTION GERMANY
“
I keep being drawn to fashion activism because it touches on everything: human rights, climate change, geopolitics, and culture. Fashion Revolution is how I turn my anxiety about those things into action.
ELISE EPP
FASHION REVOLUTION CANADA
“My hope is for our society and culture to significantly shift into a deep connection with our world and all living things. There would no longer be a differentiation between 'sustainable' or 'mainstream' fashion.
MELISSA TAN FASHION REVOLUTION MALAYSIA
Help us keep our resources open source and free for all, so we can create a fashion industry that values people and planet over profit.
DONATE
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