Photo credit: Active Truth

Ahead of IWD 2022, Active Truth, Vans and Kenneth Cole rolled out branded apparel and footwear campaigns to raise awareness and allow fans to show their support for inclusion and equality.

“Breaking the bias” is the theme of International Women’s Day 2022, held annually on March 8 to recognize women’s achievements over the years. Raising awareness on the importance of creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive world, and one that’s stereotype-, bias- and discrimination-free, IWD 2022 is a celebration of the differences between us all.

Leading up to IWD, many brands worldwide developed their own campaigns, leading the charge to #BreakTheBias and welcome fans to join the movement. Here’s what three of them have done this year.

Brand: Active Truth

Active Truth x Wonder Woman is a limited-edition collection by Australian female activewear brand Active Truth. Released on March 1, the collection features apparel items, such as women’s tights, tanks, t-shirts, crop tops and sweatshirts, including maternity wear. The collection was created for IWD and features Wonder Woman, the DC Comics superhero chosen for her strength, courage and compassion. Active Truth describes the collection as representing Wonder Woman standing up for her truth,a move to #BreakTheBias, tying it directly to the theme of IWD.

Photo credit: Active Truth.

Brand: Vans

Vans, a popular apparel and skateboarding footwear brand based in Anaheim, California, launched its Divine Energy Collection to promote IWD. The collection features four footwear silhouettes—Old Skool, Slip-On, Sk8-Hi and La Costa Slide-On—and various apparel items, including long-sleeve t-shirts, sweatpants, a dress, socks, a bralette and a mini backpack, plus children’s wear.

Most of the footwear features a neutral-toned patchwork design, which represents multiple communities coming together. Made with inclusion top of mind, this message extends to all those who identify as women. Some of the adult footwear and apparel features the wording, “We all came from a woman,” “Lover, partner, friend, child, advocate, teammate,” and “You are divine.” A few of the kids’ items feature, “She can be anything.” Through August 1, 2.5% of every sale will go toward Oasis For Girls and other organizations serving women and girls.

Photo credit: Vans

Brand: Kenneth Cole

Photo credit: Kenneth Cole

Kenneth Cole, a New York-based fashion house, is selling a t-shirt that proclaims wearers’ support for gender equality for IWD. The 100% cotton Equal Pay Women’s T-shirt features the message “Equal pay for men (even women support it),” written across the front chest in red and white, and is part of the new Voice Wear collection, which the company says, “speaks for itself.”