Impacts of Fashion Trends

THE IMPACT OF FASHION TRENDS.

Society is more demanding for the newest fashion trends.

‘Fast fashion has accelerated the rate of fashion change. In 1998, the life span of a fashion trend was approximately one year, while in 2003 it was only a few months or even a few weeks. Presently, it has become even shorter – every week or every other week new styles are adopted.’ (Kim, Fiore and Kim, 2011)

Environmental corners are being cut in order to supply the latest fashion trends as quickly as possible and at the lowest cost for retailers. The frequent desire for new clothes in vibrant colours and fabric finishes, is taking its toll on the environment, resulting in water pollution and higher levels of textile waste. ‘Textile dyeing is the second largest polluter of clean water globally behind oil pollution.’ (The Independent, 2018)

Additionally, non-profit organisations like Fashion Revolution are confronting the impact that fast fashion has had globally, after the garment factory in Rana Plaza collapsed, killing 1,138 people. ‘Clothes have gone on a long journey before they hit store shelves, passing through the hands of cotton farmers, spinners, weavers, dyers, sewers and others. Approximately 75 million people work to make our clothes. 80% of them are women between the ages of 18 and 35.’ (Fashion Revolution, 2018) Fashion companies follow fast fashion trends in order to increase sales and profit, this comes at the expense of worker’s health, wealth and dignity. It is known that, ‘the majority of the people who makes clothes for the global market live in poverty, unable to afford life’s basic necessities. Many are subject to exploitation; verbal and physical abuse, working in unsafe and dirty conditions, with very little pay.’ (Fashion Revolution, 2018). People and the environment are suffering as a consequence of the sourcing of, production and consumption of fashion trends.

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