The Evolution and Impact of Fast Fashion Giants

20min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

This chapter explores the origins of fast fashion, particularly Zara's innovative model in the late 60s and early 70s, revolutionizing the industry by rapidly producing affordable, trend-driven clothing locally in Spain. It discusses the replication and expansion of this model by major brands like H&M and Forever 21, leading to ethical and environmental concerns such as exploitative labor practices and mass production of non-biodegradable waste. Additionally, the chapter delves into the emergence of Shein as a key player in fast fashion, showcasing its unique manufacturing strategies and vast product selection akin to Amazon's scale.

Paris Marx is joined by Nicole Lipman to discuss SHEIN’s rise to the top of the fast fashion industry and how it exacerbates the sector’s labor and environment problems.

Nicole Lipman is a writer and assistant editor at n+1.

Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.

The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Eric Wickham. Transcripts are by Brigitte Pawliw-Fry.

Also mentioned in this episode:

Nicole did a deep dive into SHEIN and how it operates for n+1.
Paris wrote about the Shut Down Shein campaign.
Amazon benefits immensely from the US de minimis rule.
Ten years after the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh, many problems remain.

Support the show