As we all know, everything we use is produced as cheap as possible, and its life span is short. I use to hear my grandfather say, “things today are produced like they were in the old days.” I thought he was crazy, but I am realizing how true that statement really is.
In the new age of fast fashion, the fashion industry is no different. “Fast fashion is the business model of replicating recent catwalk trends and high-fashion designs, mass producing then at low cost, and bringing them to retail quickly while demand is at its highest.” Wikipedia
Fast fashion is using cheaply made raw materials, which, in turn, produces cheap products. These products’ life span is so short that we are throwing away clothes only after wearing them a few handful of times. This a great business plan for the apparel companies since we are purchasing more and more clothing.
Most people are happily purchasing these fast fashion apparel at extremely low prices. They are purchasing trending clothes that will be worn out before the current trend is over. But at what cost?
The creation of these fast fashion clothing comes with a large environmental price. Each year the fast fashion industry uses 93 billion cubic meters which is enough water to meet the needs of 5 million people. This trend is expected to double by 2030!
The fashion industry as a whole uses around 10% of the global greenhouse gas emissions. This due to the long supply chains and energy intensive production. This more emissions than the aviation and shipping industries combined!
The textile workers are suffering too. In order for these fast fashion brands to keep their costs low, the easiest way is to lower the textile workers’ wage. These workers are not making a living wage. They are working in unsafe, overcrowded factories with poor ventilation. Unfortunately, many of the workers are children.
How to easily spot a brand that is fast fashion?
- The brand uses cheap materials such as polyester, polyurethane, spandex, and nylon.
- Frequent new arrivals focusing on the latest fashion trend and styles.
- Cheap prices
As a whole, let’s try and embrace the slow fashion movement. This movement protects our environment and our textile workers.
