Silenced for Speaking Truth: How Values-Driven Brands like Mayana Are Pushing Back Against the Status Quo

There’s this unspoken rule in business: stay neutral and no matter what you do, never bring up politics or what you believe in, because the moment you take a stand—whether it’s for workers' rights, body autonomy, racial justice, or sustainability—someone, somewhere, is going to be upset. 

We saw this divide deepen when brands like ours spoke up about the genocide in Palestine. It wasn’t just unfollows; we were blacklisted, criticised, and told to stay in our lane. 

The truth is, silence has never been the path to progress. Every major social shift—came from people (and yes, brands) willing to risk discomfort, controversy, and loss.

The question isn’t whether values-driven businesses will face resistance (yes we do). It’s whether brands like ours will continue to speak up for what’s right (and we will). 

What people don’t realize is that fashion is political. Women’s bodies are political. Everything is political.

For instance, our choice to produce ethical fashion isn’t just about using better fabrics or fair wages—it’s about fundamentally shifting the way business is done. 

That means addressing the hard topics, refusing to shrink in the face of pressure, using our platform to amplify injustices that resonate with our audience, producing garments that actually prioritize women’s health and needs, and ultimately pushing back against outdated norms that place profit over people.

Why Are Brands Silenced?

Just like people, brands craft a persona that aligns with your values—that’s how they sell. They understand that inclusivity sells,  that’s why we see all these campaigns around diversity and “representation” but it’s problematic when they dont uphold these values within their own organizations. 

And that’s exactly why boycotts remain one of the most powerful tools against injustice. Hitting a brand’s bottom line is often the fastest way to force them to change.

If 2024 taught us anything, it’s who is willing to take a stand and who is invested in maintaining the status quo. It was a year of clarity, exposing which brands truly walk their talk and which ones stay silent when it matters most.

These are some of the reasons why brands may choose to stay silent: 

Many industries thrive on keeping things the way they are. When a brand pushes for sustainability, fair pay, or inclusive representation, it disrupts existing power structures—and that makes people uncomfortable. We see this firsthand. Because we don’t fit neatly into the capitalist mold, we often face resistance.

Some companies stay silent because they’re afraid of alienating customers. But silence is still a choice. The truth is, people are more values-driven than ever. They want brands that stand for something—not just sell products.

Social media and mainstream platforms prioritize content that doesn’t rock the boat. Posts about social justice, or advocacy often get buried or flagged as “controversial.”

We’ve battled this for years—especially with Meta’s censorship of breastfeeding and bodies that don’t fit the European beauty standard or male gaze. This is exactly why we’re focusing more on building our own platforms instead of playing by the rules. 

Fashion, like many industries, is controlled by gatekeepers who decide which brands get funding, collaborations, and visibility.

Those who challenge the norm are often shut out—from investment opportunities, media coverage, and major fashion events.

We see this clearly in the push to “support Canadian brands,” where the spotlight often goes to companies that manufacture overseas rather than those truly made in Canada (more to come on this later).

We’ve seen firsthand how the industry shuts out brands that refuse to conform. Despite being intentional about who we share our designs and ethical commitments with, we’ve been denied funding simply because we won’t play by unsustainable rules.

When we call out the exploitation of garment workers or the lack of inclusive sizing—and how these issues are deeply tied to human dignity—we’re often met with silence.

Investors and industry leaders seem more comfortable backing brands that stick to the status quo: offshoring production for a 100x ROI while championing a sanitized, feel-good cause like the environment.

But over the past five years, we’ve leaned fully into our values—not just behind the scenes, but in how we show up and speak out. And what we’ve found is that the more we do, the more people see us, hear us, and want to stand with us.​​

Speaking up about Palestine was a huge turning point for us. When it comes to how we do business, and who we choose collaborate with going forward. It showed us that aligning with our values openly helps to create real connections with people we actually align with.

Moving Forward: Leading with Our Values

Challenging the status quo is never easy—but it’s necessary. Businesses aren’t just selling products; they’re shaping culture, shifting narratives, and driving change. And while we see large corporations wielding this power for political influence, we believe it should be used to build a better, more just world.

We refuse to stay silent on the issues that matter. We stand with brands that speak the truth, even when it’s inconvenient. Because the future of business isn’t about staying neutral—it’s about making an impact. And those willing to disrupt the norm are the ones who will define what comes next.

Push back against the status quo with us. Let’s @bustthestigma together.