The world is gradually moving toward a “woke” path, and it’s time for us fashion girls, to join them. Being woke does not simply imply being aware of current events. It also entails selecting appropriate fashion brands that are both fashionable and sustainable. Unfortunately, the fashion industry has not thrived as much as we expected. Shein was named the most popular fashion brand in 2022, and everything about that is disappointing. Wondering why? Scroll down.
Work-life balance? Nah!
Shein, founded in Nanjing in 2008, was named the most Googled clothing brand in 113 countries, surpassing Zara and placing itself well ahead of other clothing behemoths such as Nike and Adidas. Shein admitted to working hour violations hours after the news broke, with some employees working 75 hours per week and only taking two to three days off per month. At a time when sustainability appears to be “the thing,” we’re left wondering why Shein is still the fashion juggernaut that it is.
Blood, Sweat & Tears — All For Nothing
Shein employees have been working more than 18 hours a day, seven days a week, with no weekends off. Some women even admitted to washing their hair during their lunch break because they don’t have time to do so otherwise. Ridiculous, right?
The Poor Get Poorer
You’d think that for all their blood and sweat, these employees would be compensated adequately. However, they earn approximately $556 per month and produce about 500 pieces of clothing per day. So it’s not just the workers’ rights that are questionable; it’s also the company’s unsustainable environmental model.
Say No To Fast Fashion!
We understand that fast fashion is convenient and relatively inexpensive, but most of us are unaware of the price we are actually paying. Aside from the poor working conditions, Shein uses synthetic fabrics such as polyester, which emit microplastics into the environment. Since the fashion world is constantly changing, consumers tend to buy more clothes to stay current, resulting in hardly-worn clothes ending up in landfills.
So, my fashion girls, it’s high time we do better as a community for the sake of the environment and also for humanity. We’re all in this together, remember?
Feature Image: Instagram
