Fast Fashions & Ethics.

During my Current Designer's class last week we discussed the ethical & environmental issues behind not solely fast fashion retailers, but even with the world's biggest designer brand names. However for this assignment, I'll be focusing on fast fashion because we did make a trip to our local H&M & Uniqlo retailers to look further into the little details that cause such big problems.


First Stop: H&M

  Our first location we visited was H&M. We walked to the first floor and the first things I started to examine and squeal over a little bit was the Maison Martin Margiela capsule collection. I have my problems with the collection, I'd never buy into it; but we can all admit there are pieces in the store that are indeed very trendy and appealing. The current clothing at H&M feature a quite straight, slim and rather boxy silhouette. Of course because it is a fast fashion retailer it has many other silhouettes, but for the most part they are all quite form-fitting pieces, and an occasional peplum and a-line skirt is seen. The colors are ranging from neutrals, silver, black, sapphire blues, forest and emerald greens, and burgundy. All a very wintery appropriate color scheme. The fabrics used in this clothing are all an array of polyester, viscose, some silk, acrylic, wool and cotton. For the most part, polyester and cotton are the fabrics being used the most. Most of these garments are being produced in Asia, Korea & Cambodia, being some of the most seen countries on those black tags. The quality of the garments, for the price they are, is good. Isn't that why they have expanded immensely and are so successful? Sure. You pay a low price for a low end fabric, but the cost of production for those puppies are even lower. However, from this recent trip and seeing the H&M x MMM collection pieces, for the H&M customer, I believe that the price point of that collection was just ridiculously high for that consumer. Not to mention, I don't think it would be worth it. Sure you get a trendy and cool piece with a designer name slapped right on it, but you're not getting a piece that is timeless, will last a long time, and actually took some time to make. You get what you pay for. In that instance, the Maison Martin Margiela name. I'm not gonna sit here and say I don't shop at H&M because I do occasionally, but a lot of times you might what to consider it and ask yourself if it is truly worth it.


















Next Stop: Uniqlo

 

Our next and final destination was Uniqlo. I had already previously visited this store to check it out when it had recently opened here in San Francisco. The style of the merchandise in this retailer is not one I like, but I really am fond of the visual displays and set up of the store. The colors in the clothing at the store are practically every color in the rainbow and your regular neutrals. They have jackets and leggings in every color of the rainbow. Fabrics range from nylon, polyester, wool, faux fur, feathers, cashmere and cotton. The silhouette at Uniqlo I would say is definitely more relaxed, long, and straight. A lot of it is sportswear and really no formal wear besides the few basic dresses and button ups they carry. Definitely a casual wear destination. The garments are produced in China, surprise surprise. Despite the styles of the garments, I'd say the quality looks and seems to be a bit better than that of H&M's. The stitching, weight and feel of them make me feel that way. I feel like this store is very similar to Old Navy or Gap, so if you are a fan of either of those stores, consider making a trip to Uniqlo!

Final Stop: Ethics.

Now comes all the problems and opinions on the manufacturing of the clothing from these fast fashion retailers. Like the article "Making The Case Against Fast Fashion Collaborations" by "Guest Contributor" on www.businessoffashion.com states, is this clothing really fashion? They say no, it's decent clothing sold at affordable prices. And that is true. There are many environmental issues going on with even the types of dyes being used on these fabrics because they contain very hazardous chemicals that are even hormone disrupting and cancer causing, as an article from the same webpage called "Toxic Chemicals in Clothing Make All of Us Fashion Victims" states. Obviously this is not okay because we live in the world where this is happening now, what about the generations to come? How will their world be like? Some companies have already pledged to have more sustainable procedures with some of their manufacturing and there are ways to slowly start changing the procedures these companies decide to use. It won't happen over-night or in 5-10 years, but we can get there. I personally am saddened by the toxic waste being spread from some of the chemicals in our clothing, the billions of gallons of water used to make pairs of jeans, the horrible labor conditions in factories across seas, but what can one really do? I can decide to no longer purchase from there, but at the end of the day, thousands and thousands of people will continue to shop at these places every weekend. I think it should be more upon the companies to change their ways. As far as fast fashion collaborations go, I'm rather neutral about it. I don't see too much wrong with it as far as ethics go, but I've never wanted to buy from any, nor have I. I'd rather save myself some money and buy the real deal, I know I'd get my money's worth out of it. The way I see it, all big businesses have big problems.


Works Cited:
Images via Google and H&M 
Articles via http://www.businessoffashion.com/