Every day a new trend appears in s.media, and week later, hundreds of versions of the latest fashion item appear on store shelves and marketplaces in all shapes, colors, and sizes. But this should be alarming, shouldn’t it? The speed at which, almost instantly, a trend is created for a certain stylish item and people want to buy it results in tons of future trash. (i’m terrified)
The environmental damage of fast fashion is destroying our planet: tons of synthetic fabrics, plastic, and dyes pollute water and soil, while endless production emits huge amounts of carbon dioxide, accelerating the climate crisis. friendly (actually not im sorry) reminder — textile production is estimated to be responsible for about 20% of global clean water pollution mainly from the dyeing process. (EU Parliament)
But it’s not only about nature. People in developing countries are the true victims of this industry. Low-paid and inhumane work in factories makes our cheap clothes possible, often at the expense of health and safety of those sewing garments for pennies, without the right to rest and a decent life. In case, shein factory employees work 75-hour weeks for just 340 US dollars a month.
And here we are — consumers all over the world — caught in this cycle. Fast consumption creates dependence, forcing us to constantly refresh our wardrobes, forgetting the value of things and our impact. This concerns everyone — from a reader in a big city to me, a fifteen-year-old girl from the Chelyabinsk region, who dreams of fashion but cannot stay indifferent to how this industry destroys nature and people’s lives.
This topic matters to me because fashion is not only about style but also about responsibility. And I want to believe that steps toward awareness can change the future, make our planet cleaner, and the world fairer.
