Lakyn Carlton, sustainable stylist and fashion educator, joins Rachelle and Candice to discuss TikTok Shop, the new feature on the app. They compare it to QVC and Amazon, and highlight the negative consequences such as disingenuous commercials and stolen videos. They also explore the impact on small businesses and trust in influencers.
TikTok Shop inundates users with nonstop advertisements and lacks verification, leading to scams and a decline in trust towards influencers.
The integration of TikTok Shop promotes drop shipping and mass-produced products, negatively impacting authentic brands and sustainable fashion.
Deep dives
Reality TV Culture: Lindsay Hubbard and Carl Radke Cancel Wedding
Lindsay Hubbard and Carl Radke, two housemates from the reality TV show Summer House, have canceled their wedding which was supposed to take place in November. The cameras were rolling, capturing the drama for the upcoming season of Summer House.
The Best Season of The Bachelorette Ever
According to Rachel, the previous season of The Bachelorette was the best in recent memory. The franchise revived itself by returning to basics and focusing on a love story. Additionally, the season featured three dark-skinned black men as part of the final four, providing representation and showcasing a black love story.
The Dramatic Bachelorette Finale
The final rose ceremony of The Bachelorette took place in Fiji, where viewers witnessed the heartbreak of contestant Joey as Bachelorette Charity chose another suitor. However, this heartbreak led to Joey becoming the next bachelor, creating anticipation for the upcoming season of the show.
TikTok Shop: The Dark Side of Influencer Marketing
TikTok Shop, the platform's integration of shopping and influencer content, has raised concerns as it inundates users with nonstop advertisements in almost every video. The lack of verification and background checks has led to scams, stolen video content, delayed shipments, and a decline in trust towards influencers. The platform's ease of use may benefit some small businesses, but it also promotes drop shipping and mass-produced products, negatively impacting authentic brands and sustainable fashion.
On today’s episode, Rachelle and Candice are joined by sustainable stylist and fashion educator Lakyn Carlton to discuss TikTok Shop — a new feature that lets users purchase products without ever leaving the app. TikTok Shop is a modern day QVC, where merchants can shell products they’ve made — or are authorized to resell — in live videos with products tagged on screen. In the age of Amazon Storefronts and Etsy, it’s not surprising for TikTok to enter the e-commerce space. But the crowded, merchant-filled experience has ruined the app’s appeal and made users consider quitting TikTok for good.
This podcast is produced by Se’era Spragley Ricks, Daisy Rosario, Candice Lim and Rachelle Hampton.