Fast Fashion

What is fast fashion? 

Fast fashion is a term used to describe the mass production of current fashion trends at a low cost, generating high profits. 

Why is it detrimental? 

As fast fashion is highly dependent on constantly changing fashion trends, companies usually overstock stores to meet demand, but once there is no longer demand, the products are disposed of. This cycle of mass production and mass waste is extremely bad for the environment, in fact, a tenth of the world’s carbon emissions come from fast fashion (Grisha Belinsky, 2019). Additionally, fast fashion is so profitable as it is cheap to produce. This is because most fast fashion companies get their supply from sweatshops which are working environments in which the workers experience long hours, low wages and poor working conditions.

Many items are dumped in landfill, where they further pollute the planet.

What can we do?

Although fast fashion is unethical and causes extreme environmental pollution, it’s important to recognise that it does make clothing more accessible to a wider range of people. Therefore, accusing or shaming people for purchasing from fast fashion is strongly discouraged because we understand socio-economic situations differ. However, if you want to make a difference there are a few things you can do. Thrift shopping (buying clothing second-hand) is a great alternative that helps keep clothes from landfill. There are also many small businesses and ethical brands that offer affordable fashion items that you should definitely try to support.

Ethical Fashion Brands:

Here are some great ethical fashion brands in Australia we support: