Today, people across the world are coming together to #TakeBackBlackFriday. Ditching a trip to the sales for more mindful activities, people across the world are refusing to buy into the excessive shopping frenzy that Black Friday and Cyber Monday encourage.
Throughout November, Eco-Age and Global Fashion Exchange have been working with our inspiring global communities to spark widespread action against Black Friday. Over the last three weeks we’ve seen the movement gain serious momentum, as individuals, groups and businesses across the Fashion Revolution community have found ways to reclaim the days from excessive and unnecessary shopping, sharing their messages on social media to celebrate slower, more sustainable ways of living.
Following Livia Firth and Patrick Duffy, friends of Eco-Age and Global Fashion Exchange including Richard Biedul, Mikaela Loach and Shraddha Singh have helped to spread the message too.
Earlier this week, Patchwork Registry took to the stage with Vivienne Westwood at a 7 Sessions event in London to talk about sustainable fashion and why we need to buy less, and buy better. The pair discussed how the sharing economy “is an affordable way for people to access seasonal trends while rejecting disposable fashion.”
Rental platform By Rotation spotlighted the need to boycott Black Friday, sharing the shocking statistics that 12 people have died and 117 people injured in Black Friday mania since 2006. The Nu Wardrobe asked its followers to get sharing instead of shopping this weekend, while Rosanna Falconer and Laura Wills joined HURR Collective to highlight the joy of renting for the party season. Stories Behind Things are opening The Christmas Collective today, celebrating sustainable alternatives during the festive season.
With brands like Veja spreading the word, it’s positive to see so many companies putting the planet before financial profits. More than 40 Irish independent brands are ‘Fashionably Upending Black Friday’ at an event in Dublin today, while From Belo are providing an antidote to shopping mayhem over the weekend with their Kind Friday concept, doubling the donations of meals they give to the local communities it continues to support in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Planet Warrior are taking the day as ‘Ocean Friday’, and will be donating £3 from every sale to Surfers Against Sewage to support their mission to reduce plastic pollution in the world’s oceans. Refusing to participate in Black Friday, Relevé Fashion is closing for the day to avoid promoting the excessive reductions that encourage over consumption during the next four days, and Tala is also closed for business, encouraging its customers to shop slowly and in a considered manner.
At Eco-Age HQ, the team have been busy finding ways to #TakeBackBlackFriday. Last weekend, Fiona collected 80 coats from friends and neighbours to donate to Wrap Up London, while Chloe’s been dipping into Brittany’s wardrobe for upcoming festive events. We’re also holding a swap shop in the office to revamp our wardrobes – check out our stories to follow the fun. Feeling inspired? Find out how to set up your own.
With the Black Friday weekend just beginning, there’s still time to join our campaign! Spread the message with friends and family, finding ways to reclaim the days for both people and planet. You can download the campaign assets or share your own pictures and clips to show how you are spending the days instead of shopping for unnecessary items. Tag @ecoage, @globalfashionexchange and, of course, #TakeBackBlackFriday.
Find out how to #TakeBackBlackFriday.
Alternative ideas for how to spend Black Friday.
Read Aja Barber‘s advice on how to buy items with longevity in mind.