Fashion Transparency Index 2018: Overview and Brand rankings

What is the fti?

Fashion Revolution’s Fashion Transparency Index (FTI) is the industry standard for measuring the transparency of major fashion brands on a spectrum of social and environmental issues. 

The official report linked here features extensive information regarding the study’s findings and methodology. I encourage you to check out the full report if you are interested. Read on for a quick overview of the 2018 Fashion Transparency Index Report.​

Logos of some of the brands featured in the 2018 Fashion Transparency Index

The report ranked 150 major fast fashion brands in the following areas based on the information which they publicly disclose:

• Policy and Commitments (social and environmental policy and future goals for improving impacts)
• Governance (accountability for managing social and environmental impacts, ethical buying and sourcing practices)
• Traceability (Extent of information published about suppliers on all levels of the supply chain)
• Know, Show, & Fix (Implementation of policies and resolution of problems in supplier facilities)
• Spotlight Issues (Focus on issues including gender inequality, living wages and recycling)

Points were awarded based on the extent to which each brand fulfilled the standards listed above and scores were assigned as percent of points earned out of the total possible.

Top Scoring Brands: 51-60% 

Brands scoring within this range publish detailed supplier and manufacturer lists, detailed information about policies and procedures, and more. They address issues such as the gender pay gap, collective bargaining, and textile waste. They publish the vast majority of policies, procedures and future goals.

Adidas 58%
Reebok 58%
Puma 56%
H&M 55%
Esprit 54%
Banana Republic 54%
Gap 54%
Old Navy 54%
C&A 53%
Marks and Spencer 51%

Honorable Mentions: 41-50%

Brands scoring within this range publish detailed supplier and manufacturer lists, detailed information about policies and procedures, and more. They likely address some spotlight issues such as gender pay gap, collective bargaining, or textile waste.

​On average, the brands that participated in this study in 2017 improved their scores by 5%. The progress indicates that participation in the FTI is not only a valuable metric, but an agent of change in the fashion industry.

ASOS 50%
Levi Strauss & Co 47%
The North Face 46%
Timberland 46%
Vans 46%
Wrangler 46%
G-Star 45%
Tchibo 42%
Bershka 42%
Massimo Dutti 42%
Pull & Bear 42%
Stradivarius 42%
Zara 42%​​​

Selected Scores Of Other Popular Brands

The lower the score, the less information the following brands have disclosed about the suppliers, policies, procedures, and social and environmental impacts.

​Keep this in mind when you think about shopping at these stores. Is there a better way to find the styles you love? Thrifting is a great, environmentally friendly way to shop without supporting unsustainable brands.

Calvin Klein 38%
Jordan 36%
Nike 36%
Lululemon 35%
Target 35%
Topshop 26%
Under Armour 22%
Amazon (Fashion) 10%
Forever 21 6%
Urban Outfitters 6%

wHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO SCORE 100%?

To score a 100% a brand would need to disclose all information listed in the 51-60% descriptor, include material sourcing information down to the raw materials, and disclose the number of workers in their supply chain covered by collective bargaining or democratic trade unions. These brands would factor their environmental and social impacts into their business model. Lastly, detailed information regarding spotlight issues including the gender wage gap and how women's issues are being addressed in the supply chain would be disclosed.

What do I do with this information?

Know that the top scoring brands are those that are accountable for their environmental and social impacts and have policies in place to protect their workers and our planet. Remember, you vote with your dollar! When you make a purchase, consider that you are supporting the brand’s business practices.

Learn more by reading the study in its entirety linked here. 

All information in this post is attributed to Fashion Revolution. ​