During recent decades, fast fashion has exploded and strongly influenced the transformation of the apparel industry. Clothing is more accessible and affordable than ever. However, hidden behind this convenience are the dangers that both the environment and society have been bearing. In this article, we would like to unveil the hidden cost of fast fashion, from which buyers and sellers can reflect on this trend.
Overview of the fast fashion industry
Fast fashion is a familiar term, referring to clothes that are inspired by famous fashion collections and quickly catch up with trends. This transformation in the fashion industry is popular with consumers as they have access to a wide range of eye-catching clothing and accessories at reasonable prices, suitable for a wide range of consumers. This trend is creating great competition for product lines launched seasonally by famous traditional fashion companies.
A market research report shows that its size globally will increase from 106.42 billion USD in 2022 to 122.98 billion USD in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.6%. Young people are attracted by unique, trendy, and affordable clothes. Therefore, garment manufacturing companies are focusing on bringing fashionable clothes from the most recent fashion trends presented during fashion week. The growing interest in affordable fast fashion clothing by the growing young population has fueled this fashion market.
Unveiling the hidden cost of fast fashion
With the enormous growth and benefits for buyers and sellers, the impact of this industry has become forgotten. And, for now, the world is bearing a “heavy price”.
First of all, it causes serious environmental degradation. The rapid production and consumption pattern leads to more and more excessive resource consumption. The production of this industry is highly dependent on non-renewable resources such as oil, water, and land. The production of synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, leads to increased carbon emissions and rapid depletion of fossil fuels. In addition, water-using processes and the use of chemicals in production pollute water sources and deplete freshwater resources.
Moreover, business enterprises are focusing on profit while forgetting about ethical concerns. They produce and expand the business, but the workers for these businesses have poor wages. Along with that, the workers do not have safe working conditions and have to work long hours. This can also lead to human rights violations, including the hiring of child laborers. This is a very expensive price for the future society when human resources and relations are seriously damaged.
Notably, the pursuit of fast fashion has caused a culture of over-consumption. This affects the disposable mindset that causes symbols, cultural aesthetics and enduring values to be lost, without proper recognition or respect for their origins.
Today’s world is actively transitioning from fast fashion to sustainable fashion to protect the environment. Sustainable trends will certainly make up for the expensive costs that fast fashion brings to society.
Conclusion
This tendency leads to impulsive purchases. While it offers the fast-fashion retailer high profits, these short-term benefits will wreak havoc in the long run on finite resources and moral and cultural values. If you are looking for more information on this trend, feel free to contact us.
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