Why choose responsible fashion at Shein?

Fashion is a constantly evolving industry, marked by new trends and emerging brands. One of the brands that has attracted attention in recent years is Shein. But what is the history of this brand and why is it preferable to favor more responsible fashion? This is what we are going to discover.

The rise of Shein

An online fashion giant

Shein, founded in 2008 by Chris Xu (Xu Yangtian), is a Chinese fashion brand that has established itself as an e-commerce giant. Its offering, mainly aimed at women, also offers clothing for men and children at very low prices.

A controversial success

Despite its undeniable success, especially among Generation Z, Shein has also been the target of numerous criticisms due to various ecological and ethical scandals.

How Shein works

Ridiculously low prices

Shein is famous for its fashionable clothing sold at bargain prices. Due to these low prices, the consumer is encouraged to buy new clothes every day, thus promoting a culture of overconsumption.

Constant renewal of collections

Shein stands out for its unique approach to renewing collections : thousands of new clothes are put online every day. The pace of production is so fast that a garment can be copied, produced and put on sale in just three days.

The problems with Shein

Environmental impact

The model of rapid production and overconsumption encouraged by Shein has harmful consequences for the environment. Indeed, it contributes to depleting natural resources at a rapid rate. Fast fashion, of which Shein is a major player, is recognized as one of the most polluting industries.

Ethical consequences

In addition to environmental concerns, Shein has also been criticized for its working conditions. Workers prepare pieces of garment fabric in subcontractor workshops in China, raising questions about the brand's ethical standards.

Towards more responsible fashion

Brand liability

Fashion brands have a huge responsibility in creating a more sustainable and ethical industry. They must be completely transparent and take steps to minimize their environmental impact and ensure fair working conditions. This is what we strive to do every day with MEEKO .

The role of consumers

As consumers, we also have a role to play. By choosing to support more responsible brands, we can help lead the fashion industry down a more sustainable path.

Conclusion

Shein, with its low prices and constant renewal of collections, has attracted many consumers. However, the environmental and ethical consequences of its business model underline the importance of favoring more responsible fashion. As consumers, we have the power to make a difference by supporting brands that respect the environment and human rights.

5 frequently asked questions

1. What is Shein? Shein is a Chinese fashion brand that offers clothing at very low prices.

2. Why is Shein controversial? Shein has been criticized for its environmental and ethical practices, particularly regarding its rapid production model and working conditions.

3. What is responsible fashion? Responsible fashion refers to practices that minimize environmental impact and ensure fair working conditions in the fashion industry.

4. How can I support more responsible fashion? You can support more responsible fashion by buying less, reusing what you already own, choosing sustainable materials, and supporting brands that have ethical practices.

5. What are the alternatives to Shein? There are many brands that offer clothing produced under ethical conditions and with real environmental awareness in their design. We can cite for example Armedangels, Patagonia or MEEKO.