Black Friday was just a couple of weeks ago, and we are annually reminded of the negative outcome of fast fashion. Fast fashion is a quick way to make sure the latest fashion trends are on the catwalk. With the mass rush of clothes being put onto the market, fast fashion is unethical and is destroying our environment by the minute. According to Fashion Checker, "93% of surveyed brands aren't paying garment workers a living wage". Many fast fashion retailers employ people from China, Vietnam, India, and other developing countries to work at an average cost of about 58 cents per hour. That is way below the living wage for a person. Garment workers aren't able to afford the bare necessities of life, and struggle to provide for themselves and their possible family. Web-based brands like SHEIN and ROMWE have been thriving during the pandemic. These brands, however, thrive off of the use of fast fashion and sweatshops. While ROMWE doesn't address their use of sweatshops and poor labor, SHEIN has openly admitted to it. Even though one is more open to admitting their issues, both brands are clearly unethical for the environment. 80% off deals are great, but do you really want poor quality clothing for the price of wasting huge amounts of water and energy? The clothing industry is responsible for using 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The dyeing and sewing process is also stern. Polyester is used in 60% of garments, and releases about two to three times more carbon emission than cotton. With the toxic dyes and the amount of polyester produced, our water sources are becoming more and more scarce. How should we eliminate fast fashion out of our daily lives? Buy less and buy smart. Sustainable brands like Reformation, Patagonia, Levi's, and Alternative Apparel are ethical and value the rights of their workers. While these brands may cost more than a $5 shirt from SHEIN, shopping at sustainable stores will rarely tear holes and help our environment. Before you get rid of your old clothes, try to repair that old flannel into a fashionable crop top! Repairing and donating your old clothes are the best way to limit fast fashion. We should all be conscious of where we shop. While it could be a habit to buy from a fast fashion brand, buying ethically and sustainably helps our environment and human rights. This is why...we are breaking up with fast fashion.
0 Comments
Rihanna is a successful businesswoman in the music, makeup, and fashion industry. Her recent lingerie line, Savage x Fenty, expresses Rihanna's different ways of how her creativity works. One of her priority goals was to include people that aren't highlighted in the world of fashion. Society has portrayed lingerie for people that are considered "desirable". Rihanna's goal was to "look for unique characteristics in people that aren't usually highlighted in the world of fashion."
With 7 different shades of nudes and sizes ranging up to 3XL for both men and women, Savage x Fenty has been a change in the lingerie industry. Even though it was not the first brand to have this range of inclusiveness, Rihanna and her activeness to pursue this brand has taken over across the world. This phenomenon helped 34% of lingerie brands to change their way of normal. On October 2nd, 2020, Savage x Fenty dropped a line of men's underwear. This collection includes different kinds of boxers, boxer briefs, and a satin pajama set, making men feel included and beautiful in the lingerie world. Christian Combs, son of Sean Combs, collaborated on this collection with Rihanna for his goal to create the "new Calvin Klein for my generation." His dedication and creativity is an example of Rihanna's goal for Savage x Fenty, to give the lingerie community a new perspective. For awhile, Victoria's Secret was the staple for lingerie. After the #MeToo movement, the business wasn't as popular, for their inclusivity in both their website and fashion shows were not a perfect example of the industry. The lingerie industry has been challenged for years to include not just your ordinary girls, but the ones that the sick society wouldn't want you to put on the runway. Diversity changed the name of lingerie. Many brands that are similar to Savage x Fenty like, Aerie, Thirdlove, and Nude Barre, have new shades of bras and underwear for all different skin tones. Meanwhile, Victoria's Secret is still behind by a couple of shades. Setting the goal to bring diversity and inclusivity to lingerie was Rihanna's priority. Her being active has helped the community get together and include the people that need to be included. She shows the things that we should be proud of; our skin, our sexuality, and the blossoming of womanhood. In her CFDA acceptance speech, Rihanna states that fashion as a kid was her "defense mechanism". Rihanna also states that she remembers as a kid thinking. "She can beat me, but she cannot beat my outfit." Rihanna's confidence has inspired many fashion designers and writers, like me. She has consistently expressed herself through her fashion and image, making her a fashion icon to this day.
|