The fashion industry has unsurprisingly exploded in reach in the past decade. Thanks to the ever-expanding presence of the internet and social media, more people than ever before have found themselves participating in fashion trends. Unfortunately, this increased attention towards clothing has left a huge demand that companies are eager to supply, often through unethical means.
Unethical business practices within fashion companies are nowhere near a new thing, with fashion brands opening cheap labor factories in countries within Asia and Africa as early as the early 20th century. These practices have continued and only worsened thanks to the increasing demand for fast fashion.
While there is still an interest in buying quality clothes, American consumers are more interested in the price and quantity of clothing they can buy. The fast fashion industry has allowed consumers to own luxury items at a fraction of the price. Additionally, people have been able to keep up with online fashion trends as they see them, despite how quickly they cycle in and out of the cultural climate online.
That said, like everything revolving around consumerism, these business practices have led to the exploitation of the workers who uphold this industry. Many people, due to the lack of workers’ rights, are forced to work in unsafe factories with little pay. Some of these companies have even been found to be using child labor in their production lines.
Surprisingly, Trump’s tariffs may be what the fashion industry needs to end these practices, with the high prices forcing customers to shop less. Unfortunately, it isn’t a perfect solution. As long as capitalism remains the main economic system, companies will continue pursuing business practices that make them the most money.
True change starts with changing the consumer’s mindset, by encouraging the appreciation of clothing quality and the hard work that goes into making it.
