Responsible Rhetoric: An Analysis of CSR Messaging in the Ethical Fashion Industry

Ethical fashion is a subset of the fashion industry focused on reducing negative environmental, social, and economic effects of production. I am conducting a rhetorical analysis of Instagram posts containing corporate social responsibility (CSR) messaging from two ethical fashion brands: Everlane and Reformation. By choosing ethical fashion as the focal industry, this research will analyze messaging from brands that have created value through CSR activities. As CSR grows as a business imperative, marketing and public relations professionals should understand and utilize rhetorical tools used to share CSR related information in a way that communicates value to the customer. Businesses in the ethical fashion industry have profited by engaging in responsible business practices and effectively communicating their efforts. Rhetorical messaging strategies from ethical fashion can guide other companies or industries as they adopt more responsible business practices.