How are you supporting the fast fashion industry? Is it really so bad? By Louisa Jabbari What is fast fashion?
wear clothes in order to influence the public into buying the latest fashion trends, which then leads to people having more than they need.
You have probably heard the term “fast fashion” frequently in the last few years, whether it was in a news article or on social media, it is something we should be aware of. So, what is fast fashion?
Although fast fashion produces fashionable items and is inexpensive it has a vast number of negative consequences.
In the past new fashion designs used to be introduced seasonally whereas fast fashion brands now release multiple designs in as little as a week so that they can stay “on trend”. This has a significant negative impact on workers and their working conditions, as well as the environment as the clothes are made of cheap synthetic materials which do not decompose.
Trend cycles
Negative consequences
Due to social media the trend cycle has shortened tremendously- in the past trends would last around 20-30 years with 3 separate phases before they were completely rejected. The fashion magazine Savoir Flair states that “The 20year fashion cycle is dead”. Social media gives us quick access into other people’s lives through apps like Instagram and TikTok. These people are paid to promote and
Fast fashion results in many social issues. Back in July 2020 the brand boohoo received a backlash for paying workers under the minimum wage. In the UK employees over 25 should receive at least £8.72 an hour whereas boohoo workers in a factory in Leicester, were being paid £3.50 an hour, whilst not receiving any protection from the COVID-19 pandemic. Another similar incident occurred in the USA with the
Fast fashion is the rapid production of inexpensive clothing by massmarket retailers in response to new and upcoming trends.
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