FAST FASHION; SLOW DEATH

In a fast paced world like ours fashion is perceived as a lifestyle or a status symbol.

 The fashion world experienced a revolution with the introduction of "fast fashion".

Fast fashion in simple words are low quality but high fashion clothes designed according to the current trends in the market

Fast fashion's pocket friendliness may make it appealing in the short term, but in the long run, its low-quality products often lead to frequent replacements, ultimately costing you more money.

According to McKinsey, "Fashion is also serious business. In 2023, the global industry was estimated to be worth $1.7 trillion. And more than 300 million people all over the world work on clothes, somewhere along the value chain. From 2000 to 2014, clothing production doubled and the number of garments purchased per capita increased by about 60 percent. This is due, in part, to the rise of fast fashion."

SOME STATISTICS THAT WILL PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE -

1. 92 million tonnes of textiles waste is produced every year.
   

2. The apparel industry’s global emissions will increase by 50% by 2030.

3. The average US consumer throws away 81.5lbs of clothes every year.

4. The number of times a garment is worn has declined by around 36% in 15 years.

5. The fashion industry is responsible for 20% of global waste water.

6. It takes 20,000 litres of water to produce one kilogram of cotton.

7. $500 billion is lost each year because of under-wearing and failure to recycle clothes.

8. Nearly 10% of microplastics dispersed in the ocean each year come from textiles.

9. Fast fashion brands are producing twice the amount of clothes today than in 2000.

IMPACT

Several estimates suggest that consumers discard the lowest priced garments after only seven wears. They generate considerable waste that exacerbates the burgeoning global waste disposal crisis. For every five garments produced, the equivalent of three end up in landfills or are incinerated.incinerated each year.

The fast fashion industry also generates around 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse emissions. Factory workers are ridiculously underpaid and exploited. They are made to work in unhygienic and unsafe conditions.

While fast fashion may seem all fun and games, it also has a dark side to it. The cheap costs are coupled with unsustainable practices. Add environmental impact to the mix and you will get a recipe for disaster.