The Fast Fashion Effect

and lasting impact for tomorrow. Let's get into it.

know the names machine. Dhgape, Ali Express, the brands that can turn a runway dream into a cheap reality, Overnight Bus, what's the real story behind those arguably too good to be true prices. Today we're going to be diving a little bit deeper into the fast fashion supply chain. We're going to explore the ethics, the knockoffs, and whether our shopping habits are doing more harm than they are good.

If last week's episode made you second guest that latest haul, this one's going to make you think twice before hitting our descartes again before we dive deeper. I just want to take a moment to say, look, we get it. Times are tough, and sometimes that bargain dress, all those cheap as sneakers from fast fashion brands, they feel like a really small win. I'm not here to shame anyone for trying to make their budget stretch. I have absolutely been there too. Back in the day, my fake Prada

bag was the talk of the town. I got that on Ali Express and it definitely looked like a cross between a Gucci Prada, I don't know Saint Laurent bag. At the time, I thought it was the coolest thing. Ever, now looking back, it just gives me the ick. And more recently, I purchased and I guess this is what has prompted this entire episode. A foot muff for my baby's pram on Ali Express, because let's be honest, that item was very obviously being drop shipped, and I just

figured let's go straight to the sauce. Many of you jumped into my DMS and said, oh my gosh, v I would never buy anything from Ali Express, but I'm here now to tell you unfortunately, my Alley Express purchase is probably from the same supplier that supplied your drop shipping company that you ordered from last week. It's convenient, and when you're watching your bank account closely, let's be honest, a bargain is pretty hard to resist. But friends, here's

the thing. We're not here to judge your point fingers. That's not what she's on the money is about. It's about education, and this is about helping each other think a little bit more deeply about the choices that we're making every single time week click by. Now there's a ripple effect. It's not just about what ends up in our wardrobes. It's about the impact on the people who made it. The environment, and ultimately our own sense of value.

So let's keep it really real. We all love a good deal, but it's worth pausing to consider the bigger picture. What do you really gain when you buy fast fashion? And is there a way we can satisfy the urge to shop without contributing to a system that might not align with our values. This is never about guilt. It's about making informed choices that we can feel really good about, both for ourselves and for the world that we're part of.

Let's start by defining what fast fashion really is. Probably heard of the term tossed around, but what does that actually mean. Traditionally, fast fashion brands like Zara, HNM, and Asoss have dominated the market by delivering on trend affordable clothing in a matter of weeks. These brands are a globalized supply chain that prioritizes speed and cost efficiency, often

at the expensive quality and sustainability. The goal is to get new styles into store as quickly and as cheaply as possible, which often leads to overproduction, textile waste, and a significant carbon footprint. The fast fashion model has been heavily criticized for contributing to environmental degradation and poor labor practices, as factories in developing countries often face minimal regulation. Then there's ultrafast fashion, which takes this concept to the extreme.

Brands like Sheen, Boohoo and Princess Poll are at the forefront of this trend. Ultra fast fashion doesn't just aim to be quick, it's designed to be instant. These companies can go from design to delivery in as little as twenty four hours, and they regularly release thousands of new styles every day. They achieve this through cutting age technologies like digital design and three D printing, which allow for real time adjustments based on what's trending on social media.

But with this extreme speed takes the environmental and ethical concerns to another level. And if you think that the impacts stop there, think again, my friend. When we come back, we're going to dive into the staggering number of clothes fast fashion brands produce every year and where all those unsold items actually end up. Spoileriller, it's not very pretty. Welcome back, my friends, We're diving straight into the heart

of the issue over production. According to worldmeetrics dot org, fast fashion brands collectively produce an astonishing one hundred and fifty billion new items of clothing each year, far exceeding the actual consumer demand. This overproduction is a hallmark of the fast industry, where the emphasis is on quantity over quality. The sheer volume of clothing being churned out not only leads to massive amounts of unsold inventory, but also intensifies

the environmental crisis. The equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles from these brands is land filled or burned every second yep, every single second, and the synthetic fibers commonly used in fast fashion can take hundreds, if not thousands

of years to biodegrade. You only have to search hashtag textile waste to see the distressing images of piles and piles of clothes slowly breaking down and leaching harmful chemicals into the soil and water, effectively poisoning our planet for generations. It's not just the environmental cost, though, is it. It's the human cost too. Labour conditions in the fast fashion industry are notoriously poor, with workers often facing severe exploitation.

According to the Clean Clothes Campaign, over eighty percent of the garment industry's workforces may of women, many of whom are subjected to long hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions. In countries like Bangladesh, where much of the world's fast fashion is produced, garment workers earn as little as ninety six dollars a month, which is far below the living

wage of four hundred and seventy two dollars. Additionally, the International Labor Organization reports that instances of forced and child labour are disturbingly common in the global supply chain of fast fashion brands. These harsh conditions are a direct result of the relentless pressure to produce clothing quickly and cheaply, often leading to significant human rights violations. This is further intensified by a troubling lack of transparency and accountability within

the industry. To keep up with this speed of distribution, these fast fashion platforms often rely on copying designs of other brands. Recently, a TikTok craze has emerged, where users are exposing machines practice of selling dupes or knockoff versions of popular items from really well known brands under different store names with the Sheen platform. This trend has caught the attention of many shoppers, who are arguably eager to find designer inspired pieces at a fraction of the price.

Creators online are often showcasing side by side comparisons of items from Sheene and their more expensive counterparts. Many of these videos highlight just how similar they are in design but drastically different in price and usual equality. For me, it raises ethical questions about originality and the impact of such practices on designers who invest significant time and resources

into creating their collections. Additionally, there are concerns about the quality and longevity of these sheen items, as well as the broader implications of supporting ultra fast fashion. Earlier this year, a TikTok user named Emma went viral when she discovered a Sheen tag inside at one hundred and eighty dollar pink outfit she purchased from the brand Jaded London. This incident highlights a lesser known aspect of the fashion industry,

the practice of white light. Brands like the one in this TikTok video, often visit wholesale markets in Chinese manufacturing hubs to purchase pre made apparel items. These items are then rebranded and sold under that company's label. In Emma's case, it's likely that the outfit she bought was originally manufactured machine. When Sheine didn't sell enough of these units, the excess

stock may have been taken to a wholesale market. A representative from Jaded London might have purchased the outfit, rebranded it and sold it at a higher price point, inadvertently leaving the original Sheine tag inside. It's a glimpse into the tangled web of fast fashion supply chains. It's a reminder that when you buy from certain brands, you might

not be getting what you think you are. That exclusive piece could just be another product of fast fashions over production machine, rebranded and marked up without you even knowing it. But here's the good news. You have the power to make choices that align with your values. By supporting fast fashion, you're choosing quality over quon, ethics over shortcuts, and sustainability over disposability. Slow fashion isn't about keeping up with the

latest trends. It's about building a wardrobe that lasts, supporting brands that treat their workers fairly, and reducing your impact on the planet. Think about shopping secondhand, hitting up clothing swaps, or investing in timeless pieces that won't go out of style next season. It's also about asking questions, demanding transparency from the brands you love, and refusing to settle for

anything less than what's right. You don't just want the bag, You want to feel good about the bag and everything it stands for. So next time you're scrolling through your favorite fashion site, take a moment to consider the story behind the clothes and how you can be part of a more sustainable and ethical future. The advice shared on Sheese on the Money is general in nature and does

not consider your individual circumstances. Sheese on the Money exists purely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon to make an investment or financial decision. If you do choose to buy a financial product.