These are the Australian brands making donations to the Black Lives Matter movement

So you can support the brands that are making a difference.

In light of the brutal murder of George Floyd, people around the world have been taking to the streets, donating, and making their voices heard on social media in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Recent events have also shed a light on Australia’s own deeply entrenched issues with racism and the often overlooked deaths in custody of First Nations people.

The situation has prompted many Australian fashion and beauty brands to speak out against racism and inequality. A lot of brands are getting backlash for engaging in “performative wokeness,” with some saying that their actions on social media are merely shallow attempts to engage in a serious issue. Ultimately, we won’t know if a brand’s activity is a serious commitment to long-term change or an opportunistic marketing ploy until further down the track. 

Nevertheless, speaking out on these issues shows a level of leadership that we might not have seen just a few years ago. The rise of political corporate social responsibility has been part of a paradigm shift that has created a space for brands to be rewarded for taking a stance on divisive issues. These attempts, although sometimes flawed, encourage a more diverse and thoughtful approach to running a business, so we need to take the wins where we can get them and welcome anyone into the movement who wants to participate.

It’s also important to note that many small Australian brands are struggling themselves, and may not have the expendable income to donate, particularly during this time. Instead, many have been using their platforms to amplify the voices and businesses of BIPOC, spread useful information, and encourage their followers to take action.

While many Australian brands participated in #blackouttuesday or spoke out on social media in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, most did not make commitments to specific actions or donations they would be making. We’ve compiled a list of those who have, so you can choose to financially support brands that are doing the necessary work by donating and examining their privilege.

• Sister Studios is donating all profits from their Sister tote ($35) to the Justice for David Dungay Junior relief fund
• Poppy Lissman has donated to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, the I Run With Maud GoFundMe, the NAACP, Common Ground, and Change The Record
• Aesop has committed $143,000 to support organisations that fight racial injustice and promote opportunities for black people
• With Jean is donating $21,000 across the NAACP, American Civil Liberties Union and Black Lives Matter Global Network
• Daisy is donating 100 per cent of sales of their Daisy t-shirt ($60) (with free shipping when you use the code ‘BLM’) to Black Lives Matter
• Culture Kings is donating 100 per cent of all profits from June 6 purchases in-store and online towards the Black Lives Matter movement. Donations will be split between Black Lives Matter, ANTaR and Campaign Zero
• Quay Australia is donating $50,000 towards organisations that fight racial injustices, and are committed to an additional $100,000 before the year ends
• Mecca is donating $50,000 to the Stars Foundation, to provide educational opportunities to Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women
• Grown Alchemist is donating to Black Lives Matter and locally to Reconciliation Australia
  
• Go-To Skincare will be donating to Black Lives Matter in the US, and locally to Change The Record
• Ugg: together with its parent company, Ugg is making a donation totalling $500,000 to NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, NAACP, ACLU, Center for Constitutional Rights, Black Lives Matter, and The Antiracist Research and Policy Cente
• Par Moi has donated to Black Rainbow
• Jean Riley has donated to Common Ground
  
• Suku Home is holding Suku Live events on Instagram throughout June as a way to use its platform as a practice exchange to support causes it believes in. Every Sunday after Suku Live, the brand makes a donation to a different charity and ask viewers to do the same. Last Sunday donations went to ANTtaR, a grassroots organisation that provides support for Australia’s First Peoples. The next sessions include a yoga class by Small Beyond and a mental health in isolation discussion with Ladies of Leisure. Head to Suku’s Instagram for more details
• Fluff has donated to Black Visions Collective, Reclaim the Block, Common Ground, Change The Record and Aboriginal Legal Service