Fast Fashion is the business model that some companies use to mass-produce trendy clothing at a low cost for high profit. This marketing tactic causes extreme damage to the planet, exploits its workers, and harms animals.

The basic premise of fast fashion is to sell, sell, sell. Businesses will sell clothing and accessories at an incredibly low price so that you can get a “deal.” In reality, this clothing is made of very cheap material, and you have to throw it away after a couple of washes. Businesses like SHEIN, Zara, Fashion Nova, and more run this type of model and promote the overconsumption of products. This causes detrimental damage to people and our planet.

Right now, the fashion industry is the second largest consumer of water in the world. Fast fashion uses toxic textile dyes which pollute enormous amounts of water. This industry is also responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions. If we continue to go down this path, then the effects of fast fashion will become worse and there will be major consequences for our planet.

Fast Fashion brands often target young people who are familiar with social media and influencer culture. With the rise of TikTok in the past few years, it is now more important than ever to not subject ourselves to buying things just because everyone else is. And it is important to do research when we are buying clothing because our actions have consequences, but also have the power to make change.

Fast Fashion is a toxic system of overproduction and consumption that has made fashion one of the world’s largest polluters. The average person buys 60% more clothing today than in 2000. We need to change our patterns if we want a chance at saving the environment. The Earth is our responsibility to take care of, and we need to do more.