The apparel industry sits at an uncomfortable intersection of social necessity and environmental harm. Clothing is a basic human right, explicitly recognised in Article 25 of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Yet, the way the global fashion industry produces and sells clothing makes it one of the most resource-intensive sectors on earth, and one where human rights risks, from poor minimum wages to forced labour, remain persistent and material. This is not a simple story of good or bad actors: the industry spans everything from essential, affordable clothing to luxury and fast fashion, and real progress on sustainability sits alongside unresolved challenges, often within the same company. We believe it is important to recognise and reward the business models, companies and their products that are genuinely meeting consumer needs while contributing to a more sustainable industry — just as it is important to hold to account those that are not. It is this complexity that makes apparel a sector worth examining closely and carefully.