The weight of George Floyd’s death has been felt all over the world, and while even the fashion industries biggest names have vowed to no longer stay silent on the injustices the Black community face – some of the most powerful players have made donations and promises to support the Black Lives Matter movement.
Many took to social media to use their platform to protest, not only in honour of Floyd, but Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner and the countless others who have been killed at the hands of police. While many showed support of solidarity, some of the fashion and beauty industries most influential have created new guidelines to rework the industry’s approach toward the Black community and Black-owned businesses and creatives.
We want to highlight the brands taking real, tangible action and showing solidarity. The below brands have made donations to important causes like the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Equal Justice Initiative, Reclaim the Block, the ACLU, The Bail Project, and many more worthy organisations. Others have even shut down their websites, instead redirecting potential buyers to donate.
Savage x Fenty
On top of donating proceeds from the brand to both The Bail Project and the Black Lives Matter movement, Rihanna and Savage x Fenty asked fans and followers to #PullUp and speak up. “There’s nothing else we can say that wasn’t already perfectly said by our founder, Rihanna (@badgalriri). So we’re putting our $$ where our mouth is. In solidarity with @claralionelfdn, we will be donating funds to support @blmgreaterny and @bailproject. We’re only asking one thing of you: #PullUp Now’s not the time to stay silent or stand by. Pull TF Up.”
Nike
In a powerful video posted to Instagram on the weekend, Nike called on its followers to “be part of the change”. “For once, don’t do it,” the video reads, followed by “don’t pretend there’s not a problem in America,” “don’t turn your back on racism,” and “don’t accept innocent lives being taken from us.”
GANNI
Copenhagen-based fashion brand Ganni posted on Instagram announcing a promise to donate $100,000 to the NAACP, Black Lives Matter, and the ACLU. “We know this is not enough, we must continue to listen, research, and educate ourselves about systematic injustice and state-sanctioned violence against Black people globally,” the post reads.
The label has also shut down its online site, asking potential shoppers to consider donating to anti-racist organisations. The brand is also encouraging Black creatives to message them directly, as it plans to commission work from the Black community to share on their social media platforms.
Reebok
The activewear brand took to Instagram to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as encourage its followers to “walk in someone else’s shoes, to stand in solidarity, and to find our common ground of humanity.” The brand added that “without the Black community, Reebok would not exist.”
Lisa Says Gah
The label committed $10,000 to purchase product from Black-owned brands and designers to show its support. “We need more Black-owned brands in our assortment,” the label wrote. “We will make sure to update you as we add to the shop. Share favourites ⬇️❤️We have also donated to @blackmamasmatter and @blklivesmatter.”
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