people

The globalization of the fashion industry is leading to not just the devastation of the planet, but the people amongst it. People are the key to fashion; from consumers to designers, or manufacturers to marketers, fashion would not survive if humans did not either. However, if people are the foundation of our society? Why do exploitative practices in the fashion industry continue to persist? ‘”People used to import slaves to their rich countries, but right now we are being enslaved within our own communities, through the globalization of our supply chain,”‘ says Nasreen Sheikh, a former child laborer in Kathmandu. (Ruth Macglip, 21 April 23).  

 
Gen Z, our generation, is ’the Target Audience for Fast Fashion Retailers, which is Consumers Aged 18 to 24.’ Gen z is known for prompting fashion brands to adopt greener, more sustainable practices. ‘Gen Z are called “digital native”— “the first generation to grow up with the internet as a part of daily life.”’ (McKinsey, 2023). The tech savvy generation has emphasized how crucial technology is. Online shopping and bulk buying have been larger than ever. This boom in online shopping quickly congested every link in the supply chain, resulting in workers being exploited and strained. ‘”As garment workers, we become a living machine,” Nasreen sheikh reflected in an interview with fashion revolution ‘, (Ruth Macglip, 21 April 23). Humans are being treated without basic needs: water, acceptable working conditions because of inorganic growth online. Gen Z shoppers prioritize value and affordability. These discounted prices mean cutting costs elsewhere in the supply chain, in this case; wages. ‘85% of textile workers earn below the minimum wage, receiving 2 to 6 cents for every piece of clothing’ (Nicole Levett, no date). As a community, our impulse to buy into fast fashion is contributing to these insufferable condition’s employees in LIC are experiencing. 

A brand responding to diversity is victoria secret. Their recent runway show was inclusive featuring plus-size models, transgender models, and models with disabilities. In the past Victoria secret ‘angels’ have been known as being untouchable, and the true supermodel. ‘“The Tour” is intended to be “the ultimate expression of the Victoria’s Secret brand transformation,” according to a press statement from the company’s head creative director, Raúl Martinez. It offers a more expansive, global take on femininity than the lingerie label is known for,’ (Jacqui Palumbo, September 23). This American brand is becoming to realize that ‘diversity sells. Some consumers are willing to praise this, however some others are not. Social media responses from gen z, are stating ‘it feels cheap’, and ‘fallen angels’. Consumers are seeing past the glazed inclusivity and demanding back the original models that made people feel they could never be them.

For a fashion brand to be successful, they do not necessarily need skills, just morals. The rana plaza disaster in April 2013, killing over 1,134 industry workers. ‘“The workers did not have any say because they were working for minimum wage … and they were not even unionized,” Akhter said. “So, they couldn’t collectively raise the issue (of not returning to work).”’ (Oscar holland, April 23). Factories in Rana Plaza produced garments for the likes of Italian retailer Bennetton and British fast fashion brand Primark. As such, the disaster held a mirror up to the developed world, namely consumers hungry for cheap clothing and Western brands using low-cost production to meet demand.