Fleeting trends. Everlasting impacts.

Due to the rise in globalisation, there has been an undeniable rise in the emphasis on changing fashion trend which have overwhelmed the minds of young people everywhere. Unfortunately, it’s also undeniable that large corporations have been exploiting this opportunity by mistreating employees, especially in developing countries.

How many of you have fallen victim to the trend of “the rebirth of y2k” or even “labubus”?

Social media has played a huge role in promoting fleeting fast fashion trends, and has had a devastating impact on society and the environment as a whole. For example, multiple corporations have been basing their factories in low income countries, specifically in Asia, to avoid paying fair wages to their employees. One infamous example of this is Shein. Famous for its cheap prices and large range of products, this business rose in the market and many individuals and influencers started endorsing their products. However, it was revealed that they have been exploiting the weak employee protection laws by basing their factories in China and relying heavily upon underpaid, child labour.  This is just one, in thousands of example that clearly showcase the importance of changing the way that we, as customers, pressurise businesses to meet our constantly changing demands. Instead, we should be using out power to force an ethical revolution in the actions of each and every fast-fashion business. By boycotting and using negative promotion, each and every one of you have to power to prevent young people being exploited for you materialistic desires. Businesses much change.

They must focus on the people. They must disregard their profits. They must be fair.

Despite all of this, there is a strong argument to be made that it is our responsibility to transform our love for following fast-fashion trends. Almost everyday, we all see how overconsumption has been normalised through the use of social media. Have you ever seen a tiktok of a girl with a collection of 70 different perfumes? Now, im sure you would just scroll past, without giving it a second thought. But, what if i told you that was part of the issue? What if i told you that you are facilitating the issue? Evidently, this growing trend of overconsumption has began to plague our community in recent years, but the true impact of it is deeper that appears to the eye. Firstly, workers are being overworked everyday. Forced to sew the seems of stitch on buttons on the new hyperfixation. Whether it is bows or berets, the ultimate outcome is the same. Your one order could lead to the torture of up to 11 young girls, already struggling from poverty. Furthermore, these constant expectations also has a detrimental impact on the lives of those who are pressurised to follow them. Many cant afford to by the new weekly fascination and are instead subject to the ridicule of their peers. I’m sure this makes you realise how important it is that we as a society redem ourselves from this cycle of fast-fashion we have developed.

However, it is also vital that we recognise the importance of utilising fashion to express our unique identities. For many, these various versions of fast fashion help them identify their personalities and showcase them to the public. Some people have an inability to convey their emotions through word and their fashion acts as an outlet to reveal their true selves to everyone around them. This clearly highlights the need for businesses to still produce a wide range of clothes in order to ensure that each person has a fair change to access the textiles that gives them the freedom they deserve.

Now that i have clearly outlined the issues that are associated with fast-fashion and the abuse of it, it is time to discuss the only solution that will save us from being condemned to failure. The fundamental change that must first happen is we, as a society, must stop being easily swayed by what the latest influencer is promoting to us. Fashion decisions should be made based on personal opinions rather. As individuals, we must exercise our freedom of choice by sticking to what we truly deem “fashionable” rather than new flashy and cheap designs. Additionally, big businesses need to change their procedures. Instead of focusing on reducing costs and increasing profits, their moral image should be at the forefront of their policies. It is our duty to ensure these changes happen. We must all hold all businesses accountable.