The death of George Floyd and ensuing protests saw companies worldwide attempt to address systemic racism in their messaging – though many faced a tide of consumer cynicism. Semiotics expert Chris Arning explains how brands can meaningfully show their commitment to anti-racist action.

Fashion and media employees are calling out their employers for their public pledges to support Black Lives Matter. As brands use social media to align with causes, they're facing more scrutiny than ever for their internal and external actions – and the sometimes-jarring disparity between the two.

With social media giving everyone a voice and helping to raise awareness of corporate missteps, people are more critical of brands than ever. But ‘call-out culture’ doesn’t have to be a source of concern – it can be an opportunity to create authentic identities both reactively and proactively.

The BLM protests again highlighted fashion's failure on diversity. With people demanding acknowledgement, accountability and action from brands, staying silent is no longer an option. A-COLD-WALL*’s BLM initiative shows how luxury fashion can go hand in hand with activism.