Why Fast Fashion Sucks For Designers Too
graphic by marcy wolfsberg
Fast fashion has been on the brink of controversy even before fashion enthusiasts rallied behind Kim Kardashian as she called out ‘fast fashion’ retailers for making cheap copies of her husband’s work earlier this year. According to Kim, “It’s devastating to see these fashion companies rip off designs that have taken the blood, sweat, and tears of true designers who have put their all into their own original ideas,” and she’s not wrong.
Critics were quick to point out the elitist and classist attributes of the fashion industry that prevent the masses from buying Kanye’s clothes, which is totally relevant. However, while Kimmy K’s attack of the fast fashion industry may be unfounded, it wasn’t completely unjustified. The fast fashion industry often makes us forget that the clothes a designer creates is their art form. You wouldn’t rip off a stunning Salvador Dalí piece, so why is it okay to copy Kanye?
As you’re browsing the closing sales of Forever 21 or the racks of H&M to prepare for Halloweekend (we know you’ve already started planning your outfits), we suggest you think twice about where your money is going. Let’s start with what we’d all LOVE to afford to care about: the ethical dilemma of choosing fast fashion. We all, of course, remember Miranda Priestly literally dressing down Andrea Sachs in The Devil
Wears Prada for her lack of appreciation for the cerulean blue belt that represented the blood, sweat, and tears of designers. And, just like most things that come out of Meryl Streep’s mouth, the appreciation she demands for fashion’s artists is completely justified. When we shop, whether online or in-store, it’s easy to forget that each and every item that we scroll by or sift through has been designed, modeled, marketed, and sold with a certain amount of care.
In the case of more ethically sourced brands, such as Everlane or Reformation, each step in the production process of every single item took painstakingly detailed effort from designers and marketers. In the case of Forever 21 (God rest her soul), the styles available to shoppers have been copied from the hard work of those ethical brands and designers at the design stage and sent abroad to underpaid workers with low quality materials. So, basically, plagiarism. Not cute.
But, we get it! Even after all of the shady dealings of the industry, the appeal of cheap clothes can be hard to resist. However, according to Business Insider, items bought from stores like H&M or Uniqlo are kept for half as long as items from stores like Reformation. Whether from cheap materials, changing styles, or just general disregard for a piece of clothing that costs 10 bucks, the initial savings just aren’t worth it in the end.
Additionally, brands that use ethically-sourced labor and designs are much more likely to be environmentally conscious. Heading to Forever 21 to buy outfits for every themed party you attend isn’t super sustainable. If the environment is a huge factor for you (climate change says hi), a cheap solution is thrift shops or consignment stores. Since the clothes that you’re buying are second hand, you’re giving more life to each piece of clothing and helping the planet, basically a win-win.
Whether from the perspective of ethical design and labor, environmental sustainability, or cost- effective shopping, fast fashion is, simply, the wrong choice. So, stay away from those cheap brands… Miranda Priestly, Mother Earth, and your wallet will thank you. To help you break your fast fashion habits, here are some of our alternative suggestions:
Thrifting!
Reformation
Everlane
Madewell
Patagonia
Thought Clothing
Made Trade (home goods too!)
And more!