Today, Explained Shein wants to go public
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Dec 21, 2023 Hilary Milnes, Executive Editor at Vogue Business, shares her insights on Shein, the Chinese fast-fashion giant poised to go public in 2024. She unpacks the ethical controversies surrounding its supply chain, including concerns over forced labor and environmental impact. Milnes highlights the clash between Shein’s appeal to Gen Z and their growing desire for sustainability. Additionally, the episode touches on the challenges faced by original designers against fast fashion's rampant imitation, raising critical questions about intellectual property in the industry.
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Shein's Design Duplication
- Crochet designer Joanna Cosentino found Shein selling a near-identical copy of her strawberry vest design.
- Shein's version was mass-produced with cheaper materials and sold for a significantly lower price.
Fashion Copyright Challenges
- Fashion designers frequently accuse fast fashion brands of copying their work, including Shein.
- Legal action rarely results in significant consequences due to the difficulty of copyrighting fashion designs.
Shein's Business Model Scrutiny
- A lawsuit accuses Shein of design theft as a core business model, alleging it wouldn't exist without it.
- Shein uses data-driven trend identification but lacks original design, unlike other brands using AI.