With Fast Fashion Almost everywhere on Social media -How can teens resist?
Fast fashion is a term used to describe the clothing industry's business model of replicating recent catwalk trends and high-fashion designs, mass-producing them at a low cost, and bringing them to retail stores quickly, while demand is at its highest.
When the world was locked down in 2020, my classes moved online, retail locations and restaurants were temporarily closed, and social media was the only entertainment left.
There were many fashion videos, try-on hauls, and product reviews on my feed.
Even though I didn't have a place to stay, it was fun to browse through these posts and plan future outfits. The number of clothes advertised to me was alarming. I used to pay $30 for a T-shirt, but I was surprised to see similar items for less than $10, making them seem disposable. I had been aware of the problem, but it wasn't until I realized it was much bigger than I had thought. Consumers are keeping clothing items for about half as long as they did in the early aughts, according to McKinsey.
World Economic Forum, 5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to fashion.
According to McKinsey, some people wear a piece of clothing seven or eight times before getting rid of it. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, 70 percent of clothing and shoes are in landfills. We should also be concerned about other things. According to a report from the
World Economic Forum, 5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to fashion.
The fashion industry creates more CO2 than any other industry. The destructive cycle seems to be pressing for my teenage peers. A teenager told the New York Times that she would only wear a new dress once or twice a year. She said that when she wears it, she will usually be in photos and posted on social media. We consume social media for hours a day. Some of the most influential fashion people with huge followings on social media can be financed by brands or persuaded by the algorithm to push retailers like Shein, H&M, and Uniqlo towards their often- young audience. You can purchase the items with a credit card by simply entering a credit card number.
It is easy for adults to think that teenagers are focused on sustainable fashion issues.
Climate marches led by young people are partly to blame. Our social media feeds are filled with influencers parading around in new options that are better to purchase with just a few clicks. The constant visibility of our lives means we often think about how we'll be perceived. Is there a way for a teenager with little income to break out of this wasteful cycle?
The way young people buy clothes has changed due to the Pandemic. Statistics Canada states that Canadians spent $84.4 billion online in 2020, but only nine percent had ever made an online purchase before that year. It is now easier for teens to hit the "place order" button on a store website if they can save payment information. This feature is bad for the planet and makes it more difficult for teens to manage their finances. Ultrafast fashion brands have become more popular and have partnerships with celebrities. In 2020, she collaborated with her and promoted its products on her social media accounts. She lists her fashion picks on the retailer's website.
Shein has been described as an ultrafast fashion company.
According to an investigation, Shein adds 6,000 items to the "new in" section of the store. There are many items in the $10 to $30 range.
Teenagers can't find many sustainable fashion options.
Compared to other mall stores, sustainable fashion brands are more expensive. Two hallmarks of sustainable fashion can cost upwards of $150. It makes sense, as fair trade and ethical work environments mean a much higher cost of production, but it also makes items hard to get around. These fashion stores are not geared toward teens. They usually produce clothes in neutral colors and styles. In other cases, brands dirty the waters by misleading to be sustainable when they are not, making it hard for young shoppers to make worthy choices even if the environment is their priority.
I want to do better even if it isn't perfect. I asked Georgia Napper if she had any advice for teens. She said to shop at your local thrift stores or online platforms for pieces you will wear long into the future. It's great for people on a low budget. She suggested that you change your social media algorithm to avoid fashion temptation. She stopped using her apps to recommend hauls by following fashion brands and people on social media.
Even if teens can't become sustainable fashion shoppers, we start to disengage from the culture of overconsumption.
This concept is discussed in a video by the author of "imperfect idealist." Consumers aren't forced to overconsume because of marketing and capitalism. She encourages viewers to continue to be involved in discussions about larger-scale reforms. Even if many of my clothes are from fast fashion brands, I can still shop in my closet.
I need to wash my clothes less and store them better. If something doesn't feel right, I can give it to a friend or sibling. I can learn to mend my clothes if I get the help of a family member or try out a sewing class. Good on You can be used to help me figure out which brands are fashion sustainable. The company rates thousands of retailers based on ethics and even has an app so shoppers can find the directory on the go.
I am sad to see the lack of transparency and sustainable practices in our brands. The bottom line is that if we keep buying from them, they won't take action toward sustainable living.
It isn't worth it to shop retail fashion to sustainably because just a lot more mass-produced tank tops will not change anything.
Huge strides would be made if each shopper supported fashion brands that put ethics first.
Psychologically changing the way we shop starts with the people who buy it. We need you now more than ever. Reliable media is important in these times. We rely on your support to keep our journalism free. The challenges our society faces this year are too important to ignore. People like you fund the future of journalism. We can make sure that our democracy thrives.
Alumna Creates Sustainable Fashion Style in Iceland
Grace Achieng founded her brand in 2020.Grace Achieng is helping to change the fashion industry's impact on the environment through her company. Achieng says that fashion can change the environment for the better.
Large-scale fast fashion producers mainly aim for mass, high-speed production.
Achieng prioritized people, profit, and the planet in his business. Achieng has established a partnership with an ethical producer to provide all of the fabric. By intentionally manufacturing ethically-produced garments, her company limits overstocks and recycles all of its fabric scraps to be used in accessories.
Achieng uses her business to promote the slow fashion philosophy to the public, frequently posting on the company's account to educate customers about the impacts of fast fashion. She sells clothes that reduce waste.
The clothing is high quality and will last long. As a child, Achieng saw the impact of fast fashion on climate change and water waste. She explains how the fast-fashion industry affects developing countries. Achieng wants to empower women.She says that the products and materials we dispose of in the west are sent to Africa. Ninety percent of the clothes end up in Africa. When she was a child, Achieng was driven to design clothing that promoted sustainable and empowering lifestyles.Achieng experienced the power of fashion from an early age, which is how she became an entrepreneur. She remembers how she felt when she got a new dress from her aunt. Achieng says that she felt more powerful when she wore the dress. This is the kind of feeling that I would like to sell. Achieng moved to Iceland to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer. Achieng decided to take matters into her own hands after struggling to find a job. She went into business for herself in 2020 after purchasing a sewing machine to design beautiful garments that give a voice to the women who wear them.
AWE had a large network that helped set up Graceland.It is Achieng's life's mission to help women feel seen and invincible. Achieng was equipped with the tools needed to succeed after participating in the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs. Achieng learned how to run her business. Achieng says he walked into his dream when he started his business. AWE gave me a deeper understanding of my business. Achieng was able to use AWE's extensive network to connect with other women entrepreneurs, learn from talented mentors, and share her story on a bigger platform. Achieng says she never knew that women supported each other. At the Woman Impact Summit, Achieng spoke about the growth of Gracelandic since its launch. Her designs have appeared in British Vogue three times.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland wears couture while meeting the President and First Lady of the United States.
The personal mission to empower women through what they wear is gaining traction on the global political stage.