Fast Fashion & Sustainable Fashion 101 With VSFW
- Sophia Shi
- Mar 25, 2023
- 3 min read
BACKGROUND
Fast fashion refers to producing inexpensive, trendy clothing quickly and in large quantities to meet consumer demand. While fast fashion has made clothing more affordable, it has also negatively impacted the environment, society, and people.
Sustainable fashion, on the other hand, sustainable fashion Onaims to minimize the negative impacts of the fashion industry on the environment, society, and economy. Sustainable fashion involves using sustainable materials, and promoting ethical labour.
Who? Who are the key individuals and groups? (think about oppressors, oppressed, government, society, culture, economy & business)
Fast fashion brands
-Shein, Zara, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters etc.
• Where? Where does this injustice occur? What is the history behind it?
There are mainly three countries that contribute to this injustice by purchasing and retailing fast fashion brands:
Examples: China, USA, India, Japan,
CAUSES OF THE SOCIAL INJUSTICE:
Causes of the social injustice:
Negative environmental impacts: The fast fashion industry is the second largest polluter globally, generating 10% of global carbon emissions. The production of synthetic fabrics (a very common input of fast fashion clothing), such as polyester, r emits harmful chemicals into the environment.
Throwaway culture:
Fast fashion encourages consumers to chase trends, therefore buying more products than the consumers need, leading to a culture of disposability and waste. Many fast fashion items are worn only a few times before being thrown away, contributing to the growing problem of textile waste.
The exploitation of workers:
93% of fast fashion companies do not pay workers a living wage.
With over 75 million factory workers worldwide, 2% make a living wage. Fast fashion companies often use sweatshops and low-wage labour to produce clothing, exploiting workers in developing countries.
Moreover, these workers work long hours (often around 12a widespread) in unsafe and unhealthy conditions.
Child labour:
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), more than 170 million children are forced to make textiles and garments in fast fashion factories. Common Objective (CO), a global business network for the fashion industry, also states that out of 151.6 million labourers aged between five and 17 years, almost half are found in dangerous working conditions.
Solutions:
Educate consumers:
Consumers can learn about the negative impacts of fast fashion and the benefits of sustainable fashion. They can also be encouraged to shop for quality clothing that lasts longer, buy secondhand or vintage clothing, and recycle or upcycle old clothing.
Support sustainable fashion brands:
Consumers can support sustainable fashion brands that prioritize ethical and eco-friendly practices. This can help to promote sustainable fashion and encourage other brands to adopt similar practices.
Advocate for policies that supports and sustainable fashion and combat fast fashion: Governments can be lobbied to create policies that promote sustainable fashion, such as tax incentives for sustainable fashion brands or regulations that require companies to disclose their environmental and social impact.
Support circular fashion:
Circular fashion involves designing products that can be reused, recycled, or repurposed at the end of their lifecycle. Supporting circular fashion can help to reduce waste and promote sustainability in the fashion industry.
Improve transparency:
All companies should be transparent about their production process and labour practices. Consumers can demand transparency from companies (companies tell consumers how their products are made, and when consumers know the process, they will be. Policymakers are more likely to make a sustainable and correct decision), and policymakers can create regulations that require companies to disclose their environmental and social impact.
Collaborate with influencers:
Social media influencers are one of the leading causes causes of fast fashion as people follow them to be on top of the trend; many fast fashion brands use influencers to attract more consumers. By working with them, it can be enlisted to promote sustainable fashion brands and to raise awareness about the impact of fast fashion
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