SHEIN a light on fast fashion
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Comments (5)
Anne
12 Oct 2023Thank you for this article. This is a subject about which I am passionate – disposable clothing. I had this discussion with my domestic worker, who always looks good. She buys from Chinese shops. I explained the process and asked if she would work under same the conditions as these factory workers. She shrugged and said it is all she can afford. And who can blame her?
So, poorer countries are a great market for cheap clothing, where folk want to look and feel good and have little knowledge about the process, or concern about ethics.
There is a growing movement in the UK, to enlighten public about the environmental impact of cheap fabrics. There are communities that rotate children’s clothing – along the same lines of second hand bookshops. I recall an interviewee commenting that if the cost of the garment is cheaper than the cost of dry-cleaning the garment, then it is disposable clothing.
My business is logistics. Whilst I know there are pressing issues for our investigative journalists, I would love an investigation into these Chinese Malls that pop up in every suburb. I look at the sales price and I know there is no way for that to include customs duties and vat, as well as freight and factory cost.
Also, the US / SA AGOA Trade Agreement, covering clothing, even if the fabric is imported into SA. Who benefits? Who owns the factories in Eswatini? What are the working conditions for those workers?
Dominique
12 Oct 2023Hi Anne!
So happy to meet another sustainable clothing enthusiast here 😉
This is very much a passion point of mine as well – so much so that the Ghost and I actually had a spirited debate about the China point before this article went live! He did make one very good point that I’d love to share: as a predominantly Western culture, we should tread carefully when it comes to assuming what is a fair working wage in an Eastern country. In Thailand, for instance, the cost of living is much lower, and the appetite for consumption is nowhere near as high as it is in the West.
Now, I am by no means saying that what SHEIN is doing to its factory workers is right or fair. There’s a difference between what’s cheap and what’s inhumane. But in the broader context, we just have to keep in mind that the East is always going to be able to provide cheaper labour than our local industry, and while we may look at that and assume worker exploitation, that may not always be the case.
When we remove our humanitarian glasses (hard as that may be – I know!) and look at it from a pure business perspective, this is about supply and demand. Cash-strapped consumers are demanding. An Asian giant is supplying.
There are many people I know who proudly support SHEIN and are happy to receive clothing that lasts for one season before needing to be replaced. In my opinion, the rise and dominance of SHEIN is very much a reflection of the consumer zeitgeist – constantly wanting more novelty, more quantity, more convenience. Unless a serious change in consumer mindset occurs – and what would that catalyst look like? – I imagine SHEIN and it’s siblings are here to stay.
In the meantime, you’ll find me in the aisles of the thrift store!
Graham
17 Oct 2023What about the hidden costs? and the Extremely long Delivery time, and the customers having to pay import duties and taxes? The Actual price that the website is listing is far off from what you actually will be paying.. As well as divulging information like your ID number – in order for your product to clear customs? I Hope the readers and the users of the site are well aware of the hidden costs and the lengthy delivery time.. And again the costs, like having to Pay a fee to “Secure” your delivery.. I would be very wary of buying anything off this site.. Also take note of returns on their website. If it looks too good to be true.. it probably is.
Dominique
17 Oct 2023Well said Graham!
It just goes to show how price-motivated consumers are, if they are willing to put up with all those dodgy questions and complicated delivery procedures just to be able to purchase a R79 shirt!
Jill
19 Oct 2023Yes Graham, this article is not helping the prospective customer to see the whole picture, in fact, the hidden costs are outrageous – the quality of the product under Shein’s suppossed regime, is also questionable ??
Giving Shein my personal information, really ???
All too sceptical for me !!