Ninety-nine percent of major fashion brands do not disclose the number of workers in their supply chains being paid a living wage, according to Fashion Revolution. This widespread silence on a fundamental human right exposes a critical accountability gap across the global apparel sector. Such an absence of data leaves countless workers vulnerable to exploitation, obscuring the true human cost of fashion production.
While the global fashion industry achieved an overall average transparency score of 26%—a 2% increase from the previous year—this progress is undermined by a widespread failure to disclose fundamental data on living wages and raw material origins. This slight improvement in overall transparency merely masks a profound and persistent lack of disclosure on the most fundamental human rights issues within the supply chain.
Based on the industry's slow and selective progress, brands that continue to prioritize minimal, visible disclosures over deep, impactful transparency will increasingly face regulatory penalties and consumer backlash.
What Does 'Transparency' Really Mean in Fashion?
Fifty-two percent of 250 major brands disclose their first-tier supplier lists, according to Fashion Revolution. This initial step in supply chain visibility, often involving direct garment manufacturers, only scratches the surface of complex global networks. It offers a starting point for ethical sourcing but guarantees no ethical practices throughout the entire production process.
Such limited transparency allows brands to project an image of responsibility, bypassing the more challenging, often hidden, issues deeper within their supply networks. Focusing solely on immediate manufacturers creates a strategic smokescreen, diverting attention from where significant labor and environmental abuses frequently occur.
The Hidden Depths: Where Transparency Ends
Only 12% of the world's largest brands disclose their raw material suppliers, according to Fashion Revolution. This stark contrast with first-tier disclosures reveals a deliberate strategy: offer superficial transparency while concealing the most environmentally and ethically problematic parts of the supply chain. The average brand score for transparency in climate and energy disclosure stands at a mere 14%.
