Fast Fashion

Fast fashion describe the clothing industry business model of replicating recent catwalk trends and high-fashion designs, mass-producing them at a low cost, and bringing them to retail stores quickly, while demand is at its highest.

Zara, H&M, Shein are some example of company who practice Fast Fashion.

 

 
Fast Fashion is Cheap, but there is a problem.

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How it's made?

Most clothes are made out of synthetic fibers (plastics like nylon or polyester often created from oil or coal).  The problem is, that type of material take hundreds of years to decompose. They also release tiny microscopic pieces of plastic when they are washed. This is a recipe to destroy our animals living in the ocean and the ocean itself. Forget about the harsh chemicals used to treat them. The textiles sector emitted more greenhouse gas emissions than the international shipping industry and the aviation industry combined in 2015. Most of those type of clothes don't last long. Leading the consumer to buy new clothes very often. That comes with environmental costs.
But these synthetic fibers treated with chemicals are “cheap” compared to natural fiber.

 

What does It mean for people.

Many clothing items are made in poor countries like China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India where labor is cheap and not well regulated.80 percent are women in their early 20s. Human Rights Watch has documented widespread sexual harassment in the industry, including in garment factories in India, Pakistan, Cambodia, and Bangladesh. Women on short-term contracts, or working under other casual forms of employment, are especially vulnerable.

 

sustainable-fashion. 
 

This is on the other hand, Fashion that is organic based and will last longer. This is an Industry that use more environmentally friendly fibers. Some companies that use sustainable materials in at least some of their products are Marine Layer, Organic Basics, Pact, Patagonia, and Reformation. Designer’s using synthetic materials can reduce their environmental footprint by using recycled polyester or other recycled fabrics.

 

If for some reason or for a special occasions you need that outfit that you only going to wear one time , you may not find it as a sustainable option. Renting clothes is a great option. So Next time you shop for cloths make a good decision not to hurt the planet or fight for the right of workers at those garment factories.
 

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