Fashion
What is fast fashion? How the retail business model could be negatively impacting consumers
Consumerism & fast fashion: What to know before shopping
Fast fashion is when companies make low-quality clothes as fast as possible and sells them cheap to cash in on fashion trends. But it takes a toll.
As advertisements for the latest trending items seem to infiltrate daily lives more and more, it’s important to step back and see the bigger picture of what the state of consumerism today could mean for the future.
In the world of modern technology, everyone, everywhere, is constantly being advertised to, whether we’re aware of it or not.
The incessant advertising, and the rise of social media influencers, has ultimately led to fast fashion’s domination over the world of consumers.
What is fast fashion?
“Fast fashion” is a retail business model that involves copying style trends, mass-producing items and making those items available for purchase while demand is high.
Fast fashion is also characterized by the use of low-quality materials, continuous release of new collections and offering affordable prices that appeal to consumers.
Why is fast fashion an issue?
Due to the rate at which items are being produced, the amount being produced and the rate of consumption, fast fashion is taking a negative toll on garment employees and the environment.
Regarding fast fashion’s environmental impact, the production of polyester for just textiles emits more than 700 metric tons, or tonnes, of carbon dioxide. In addition to this, according to the Ethical Consumer, the washing of these synthetic materials releases microplastics into the ocean.
As for garment workers, employees of fast fashion garment factories often work long hours in hazardous conditions. These conditions include spaces without windows, dangerously high temperatures, aggressive managers and exposure to harmful chemicals, says the Ethical Consumer.
What brands are considered fast fashion?
Brands like H&M, Shein, Forever 21, Zara, Revolve, Fashion Nova, ASOS, Cider and more are all considered fast fashion. These clothing retailers consistently release new styles and collections, mass-produce lower-quality items and then sell the items for low-prices.
To combat the consequences of fast fashion, consumers are encouraged to participate in “slow fashion,” which involves purchasing fewer and higher-quality clothing items, and donating old clothes instead of discarding the items.
How does this affect small businesses?
Fast fashion is also hurting small or independent businesses throughout the world as lower prices steer consumers away from better-quality, non-mass-produced items found in non-fast-fashion brands. Unfortunately, many small businesses are not immune to fast fashion’s reaches.
While some businesses continue to operate just fine alongside fast fashion, businesses often close because they are unable to keep up with the competition from fast fashion.
Also, fast fashion brands have been known to steal designs from smaller businesses and independent artists. Oftentimes, these designs are stolen from the creator, mass-produced onto clothing items, and then sold at a low cost. Even worse, these brands often fail to take accountability for stealing artwork, and the original creator sometimes never sees credit or compensation for their work.
WPT World Championship And ClubWPT Gold $5M Invitational Freeroll Setting Records At Wynn Las Vegas
All Winners at The Game Awards 2024, Astro Bot Game of the Year
The biggest game announcements and trailers from The Game Awards 2024
Rams pull out tough win over 49ers, whose slim playoff hopes likely go down the drain
This year saw Christian entertainment that didn’t just talk to faith audiences
‘Absolutely terrifying’: Family warning others of travel dangers after child overdoses on meth
Sony Interactive Entertainment and Naughty Dog announce Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet for PS5
Wolfforth family launches pickle business after losing two sons
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross Prefer Movie Soundtracks Because “the Culture of the Music World Sucks”
