New documentary goes undercover inside SHEIN’s factories
Available on Channel 4, the documentary reveals that workers making clothing for the fast-fashion giant SHEIN are paid as little as 3p per garment while working 18-hour shifts. Most of us aren’t blind to the fact that the availability of ultra-cheap clothing is impossible without the exploitation of workers who...
Current in Style
Is the Met Gala’s 2023 theme problematic?
He may have been one of the most talented and influential fashion figureheads of the 21st century, but like most in positions of power, Karl Lagerfeld’s fame wasn’t without controversy. Is the Met Gala wrong to idolise him at next year’s event? Last year, I wrote about the Met Gala...
Adidas launches new swim cap line for Black and afro hair
In collaboration with the British company Soul Cap, the global sportswear giant has introduced another inclusive product to its athletic wear collection. This time, it’s a swim cap designed to fit swimmers with long, voluminous, or Black and afro hair. Last year, Adidas launched a marketing campaign that showcased how...
Do we really need gender-specific skincare products?
For decades, skincare routines and other beauty regimes have been viewed as rituals carried out solely by women. But as the boundaries of gender become further blurred, gender-neutral skincare products are increasing in popularity. Was the concept of gender-specific skincare ever legit to begin with? Despite the fact that...
Could sustainability make a bigger impact at next year’s Fashion Week?
Although the fashion industry is not blind to the worsening climate crisis, only a handful of designers have shown serious commitment to utilising sustainable materials in their collections. From next year, things could look quite different. According to CFDA reports, New York Fashion Week emits around 48,000 metric tons of...
Fashion ‘unlikely’ to meet Paris Climate Accord goals
According to Textile Exchange’s latest report, the industry is producing more than ever before and shifts from conventional materials to lower-impact, sustainable alternatives have declined. During the last few years, news of fashion’s pivot to more eco-friendly practices has repeatedly made headlines. Whether genuinely impactful or an obvious bid to...
Brands moving away from ‘free returns’ to curb fast fashion
Boohoo, Zara, and soon-to-be H&M are among the major retailers now charging customers to send back clothes in the post. Though shoppers are divided over the new policy, there’s no denying the environmental benefits of a move that targets throwaway culture. When attending a fancy event we don’t have the cash for, it can be tempting to order a specific outfit and return it straight after for free, allowing us...
Opinion – Kourtney’s collaboration with Boohoo deserves criticism
The reality star has been mocked on social media for her new role as fast fashion brand Boohoo’s Sustainability Ambassador. But while it may be hard to believe, Kardashian’s latest collaboration is no laughing matter. Reality stars and fast fashion are no strangers to one another. Despite strides to unpick this deep-seated relationship, and a growing disdain for fast fashion amongst young consumers, Gen Z are still addicted...
The sustainability potential of Bella Hadid’s Coperni moment
Proving just how far fashion’s relationship with tech has come in recent years, a viral video of Bella Hadid being sprayed into a dress marks the next step in environmentally-friendly fabrics. For the last few weeks, as models have sauntered down runways in the fashion capitals of the world, online commentary about the offerings presented by designers both burgeoning and iconic has been rife. From criticism towards Kanye’s controversial ‘White Lives...
The resale market is fast fashion’s latest greenwashing ploy
We’ve a long way to go before the fashion industry can be deemed sustainable. Is the option to resell our fast fashion items back to retailers a step in the right direction or a novel way for business as usual to continue behind the scenes? Buying second-hand clothing has never been easier or more common. Depop, Vinted, and more recently, eBay, have soared in popularity for providing users with a seamless,...
