For the first time, only two out of 250 major fashion brands scored 80% or higher in the Fashion Transparency Index, with Italian luxury house Gucci being one of them, starkly contrasting with the industry's dismal 26% average. A high-end brand's achievement indicates that significant disclosure is attainable, challenging the widespread opacity across the sector.
Consumers often associate luxury fashion with high quality and ethical standards, but the industry's average transparency score is a mere 26%, revealing a widespread failure to disclose basic supply chain information. A significant disconnect between brand image and actual practice is suggested, leaving consumers with an illusion of ethical production. For more, see our Luxury Fashion's 2026 Ethical Production.
The pressure for transparency will intensify, forcing more luxury brands to either genuinely disclose their practices or risk losing market share to more accountable competitors. As awareness grows, premium prices will increasingly require verifiable proof of ethical production.
In 2023, the Fashion Transparency Index - Fashion Revolution reviewed 250 of the world's largest fashion brands and retailers. The global fashion industry achieved an overall average transparency score of 26%, an increase of only 2% from the 2022 index. Minimal progress indicates that most brands are making negligible strides, making high-scoring outliers significant. While the overall fashion industry struggles with transparency, a few leading brands, including a luxury house, are demonstrating that high levels of disclosure are achievable, setting a new benchmark for ethical production.
The Depth of Disclosure: Beyond First Tiers
- 52% — of 250 major brands reviewed are disclosing their first-tier supplier lists, according to Fashion Revolution. A willingness to show the immediate production partners is indicated.
- 40% — of 250 brands published their first-tier manufacturers in 2020, an increase from 35% in 2019, according to Fashion Revolution. A slow but consistent improvement in disclosing direct manufacturing partners is shown.
- 24% — of 250 brands published some of their processing facilities in 2020, up from 19% in 2019, according to Fashion Revolution. The decreasing transparency as the supply chain extends beyond immediate production is highlighted.
- 7% — of 250 brands published some of their raw material suppliers in 2020, up from 5% in 2019, according to Fashion Revolution. A dramatic drop reveals a strategic opacity, suggesting brands actively conceal the origins of their core materials, obscuring the full environmental and social impact of production.
Luxury's Rare Leaders and High-Street Challengers
Despite some progress in disclosing immediate suppliers, transparency significantly diminishes further down the supply chain, particularly for raw materials, obscuring the full environmental and social impact of production. This section showcases brands making notable efforts.
1. Gucci
Best for: Consumers seeking verifiable supply chain transparency in high-end luxury fashion.
Gucci, an Italian luxury fashion house, ranked second out of 250 brands with an overall average score of 80% in the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index, according to Fashion Revolution. It is placed among the top two brands globally for transparency. Studentwork states Gucci was the most transparent luxury brand at 59%, while the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index reports 80%, indicating varied methodologies or reporting periods affect transparency measurements.
Strengths: High transparency score (80%) in the Fashion Transparency Index; identified as one of the five biggest movers in transparency.Limitations: Remains part of an industry largely characterized by opacity.Price: High-end luxury pricing.
2. Longchamp
Best for: Shoppers prioritizing certified ethical and sustainable practices in luxury leather goods.
Longchamp achieved B Corp certification, which requires companies to meet high standards of social and environmental performance and score above 80 points on the B Impact Assessment, as reported by Jing Daily. The certification reflects a comprehensive commitment beyond simple disclosure.
Strengths: B Corp certified, demonstrating rigorous social and environmental accountability.Limitations: Specific Fashion Transparency Index score not publicly detailed.Price: Premium luxury pricing.
3. Armani
Best for: Luxury consumers interested in established brands making progress in ethical disclosure.
Armani was identified as one of the five biggest movers in transparency among luxury brands, according to Fashion Revolution. A focused effort by the Italian fashion house to enhance its supply chain visibility is indicated.
Strengths: Recognized as a significant mover in improving transparency among luxury brands.Limitations: Overall transparency score not explicitly detailed.Price: High-end luxury pricing.
4. Jil Sander
Best for: Discerning buyers looking for minimalist luxury with increasing supply chain visibility.
Jil Sander was also identified by Fashion Revolution as one of the five biggest movers in transparency among luxury brands. The brand is actively working to disclose more about its production processes.
Strengths: Acknowledged for significant progress in luxury brand transparency.Limitations: Detailed specific transparency metrics are not widely publicized.Price: Designer luxury pricing.
5. Miu Miu
Best for: Fashion-forward individuals who value progress in ethical transparency from luxury labels.
Miu Miu was named by Fashion Revolution as one of the five biggest movers in transparency among luxury brands. The brand is positioned as one actively addressing supply chain visibility.
Strengths: Recognized for notable advances in luxury brand transparency.Limitations: Comprehensive transparency data for the brand is not fully detailed.Price: High-end luxury pricing.
6. Prada
Best for: Consumers seeking a heritage luxury brand committed to increasing supply chain disclosure.
Prada was acknowledged by Fashion Revolution as one of the five biggest movers in transparency among luxury brands. A strategic shift towards greater accountability in its production is indicated.
Strengths: Identified for substantial efforts in improving luxury brand transparency.Limitations: Specific transparency metrics beyond 'mover' status are not readily available.Price: Premium luxury pricing.
7. Chloé
Best for: Buyers prioritizing sustainability from a luxury fashion house, as recognized by industry publications.
Chloé was identified by Marie Claire UK as the 'best luxury fashion brand for sustainability'. The recognition suggests a broader commitment to ethical practices.
Strengths: Named a leading luxury brand for sustainability by a prominent fashion publication.Limitations: Specific Fashion Transparency Index scores or B Corp certification status are not provided.Price: High-end luxury pricing.
| Brand | Transparency Score / Certification | Key Transparency Achievement | General Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gucci | 80% (Fashion Transparency Index) | Ranked second globally; biggest mover in transparency | Comprehensive supply chain disclosure |
| Longchamp | B Corp Certified | Meets high social and environmental performance standards | Holistic ethical and environmental practices |
| Armani | Not specified | Identified as a 'biggest mover' in transparency | Improving supply chain visibility |
| Jil Sander | Not specified | Identified as a 'biggest mover' in transparency | Enhancing production process disclosure |
| Miu Miu | Not specified | Identified as a 'biggest mover' in transparency | Increasing supply chain accountability |
| Prada | Not specified | Identified as a 'biggest mover' in transparency | Strategic shift towards greater disclosure |
| Chloé | Not specified | Named 'best luxury brand for sustainability' by Marie Claire UK | Broader sustainability and ethical practices |
Measuring fashion transparency involves various methodologies, primarily exemplified by the Fashion Transparency Index, which assesses 250 of the world's largest brands on their public disclosure of human rights and environmental policies, practices, and impacts. The Index provides a percentage score based on information available across five key areas: policy & commitments, governance, supply chain traceability, know & show, and spotlight issues. This comprehensive approach aims to quantify a brand's commitment to ethical production, yet disparate reporting periods or assessment.ent criteria can lead to varied conclusions, as seen in the differing transparency scores attributed to brands like Gucci.
Another significant metric is B Corp certification, which evaluates a company's entire social and environmental performance. Companies must achieve above 80 points on the B Impact Assessment to earn this certification, according to Who What Wear. This holistic assessment goes beyond supply chain disclosure, covering areas from employee benefits to charitable giving, offering a different lens through which to view a brand's ethical standing. The existence of multiple measurement systems highlights the complexity of defining and evaluating
