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[finishedwithfastfashion]

⚠️ REPLICA WARNING ⚠️

Just a heads up to our overseas readers that Shein just put up a huge amount of replicas from japanese indie brands producing girly fashion. For years now, local brands have been struggling to make ends meet and closed many of their stores (ex: Ank Rouge). Of course, there are many people who can't afford brand releases as they come out, as brand names are typically expensive, but there are other options, such as buying secondhand or supporting smaller creators.

The low prices make it easy to forget that corporations like Shein are a major contributor to low wages and by buying from them you help increasing the demand for underpaid workers, hurting people just like you. Also, due to the poor quality that does not last, you will have to keep buying new clothes over and over again, which not only does hurt your wallet in the long run but also the enviroment, better save up a little for a quality piece than wasting it. There's also the concern that it has been proven that their products contain various toxic substances, such as high concentrations of lead and softeners. Mass-producing clothing in this dangerous and unsustainable manner directly affects worldwide wages, and is responsible for local businesses and creators closing their stores. Please do not support Shein and other companies similar to it that mass-produce low-quality knockoffs, as it is harmful to you, the environment, and puts money directly into the pockets of those who wish to exploit underpaid workers and artists.

It seems like most are being posted as ROMWE, and Honey Cinnamon, Liz Lisa, and MA*RS have had the most of their designs taken, but they're not the only girly brand replicas SHEIN is making. Please be careful and look out for replicas!

[text reposted from the girly kei Facebook group with permission]

[finishedwithfastfashion]

[finishedwithfastfashion]

The last... air mender?

Bought a fast fashion jacket in a moment of weakness that kept ripping at the shoulders. Mended it with ombre embroidery thread. Gave up once I broke the needle.

[finishedwithfastfashion]

Does This Sound Like You?

In the past few years, we’ve seen the rise of many clothing trends, notable ones being the Y2K trend, (which sparked controversy about the origins of the clothing style being stolen from people of color), the egirl aesthetic tend during the pandemic, and a surge in clothing with psychedelic themes.

Its hard to pick an aesthetic - I get it, I’ve been building up my wardrobe from Hot Topic (who has their own set of issues) for years, and I too have clothes I regret buying that are just rotting away in my closet.

Its common to impulse buy an article of trending clothing, and never wearing it again. 

According to a Journal Article in The Environmental Health Perspectives titled, Waste Couture: Environmental Impact of The Clothing Industry, fast fashion is designed to appeal to young women. 

According to Professor Pietra Rivoli, each year Americans purchase approximately 1 billion garments made in China - that’s the equivalent of 4 articles of clothing for every citizen in the United States. 

And there are still homeless people wearing worn garments - what gives? 

Well, that being said lets take a breather - its okay if you are guilty of a $200 SHEIN haul, or even purchasing a few items. The objective of this blog is to present some facts that might give you the ICK about SHEIN.

First, lets start with a quick video about SHEIN in specific. 

Notice the comments underneath the video. People are learning about the working conditions that these workers face and have little to no empathy for them. One could argue that these workers are working here out of their own free will, but when the situation you find yourself in presents too options: work or starve, those in command can take advantage of the desperation of their workers, who will stay and produce their insane amount of clothing. 

Public Eye, a switzerland based advocacy group conducts investigations and reveals cases of corruption and illegal and illegitimate business models. They also shed light on human rights violations. Advocates from PublicEye visited some of SHEIN’s suppliers in Guangzhou, China and found that workers for fashion giant SHEIN (who is rumoured to be able to produced a dress from design to packaging according to the Public Eye website) are working  11 to 12 hours a day and have only one day off per month. That makes for 75 hours work a week, which violates not only Shein’s Supplier Code of Conduct, but also Chinese labor law, on numerous counts.

Around every third piece of clothing is brought online.

Before we explore more about the darkside of your favorite retail website: SHEIN, lets take a look at an advertising tricks called Dark Patterns. 

What is a dark pattern?

A dark pattern is a term introduced by Harry Brignull, a London based UX designer. His definition is as follows: 

A dark pattern is a type of user interface that appears to have been carefully crafted to trick users into doing things that are not in their interest and is usually at their expense. 

Talking about ending up in a landfill, 

( https://emeka-suits.com/blogs/news/where-do-clothes-end )Emeka, a sustainable fashion group explains that 70% of clothes donated are exported overseas which locals buy second hand 

Thats good right? 

Well not necessarily, 40% of these clothes end up in the landfill, as the quality is no longer wearable 

The article goes on to say that on ghanian shores, one could dig 15 feet in the sand and still find fragments of clothing, harming the local people and animals. 

After reading countless Theses, articles and tedtalks I felt pretty hopeless. Everything I ran into told me to essentially lose hope, its the corporations, its untouchable. The fashion industry is changing, its going greener, and thats all we can hope for.

Keeping your closet ethical is a big fish to fry - especially when you can’t afford the “sustainable” items. 

Its hard to buy a $75 pair of Levis instead of a $4 pair of SHEIN trendy jeans. 

After having conversations with real people - other broke young adults like myself about what they believed they could do in their own lives. In the end, I realized that it is about deciding for yourself to not impulse buy, to use the clothes in your closet again and again, to learn that you are not a bad person when you fall into SHEIN’s gimmicks, you are only at fault if you truly don’t care about your fellow workers in the garment industry. 

In solidarity with other people who are working class - we must draw the line and refuse to buy certain brands if they show again and again that they do not care about the wellbeing of their workers. 

While the fashion of industry creates thousands of jobs - it also has skeletons in its closet like everything and everyone else, especially other businesses. When a company produces too much waste or lets tragedies happen within their factories, it is up to us, the consumers to no longer support them. 

Don’t fall into these trends, dedicate to a style and pieces of clothing. Love your clothes, and love your earth. 

Lastly, here is some reading material for you to check out! Reading is important to forming your own opinions.