Fast Fashion vs. Slow Fashion

 Introduction

This clothing industry is a large social organization that have reflected change in regards to trend and fashion. These two contrasting movements have occurred within the last few decades: Already introduced to you were Fast Fashion and Slow Fashion. However, only one type of fashion model is helpful in comprehending the needs of consumers; the other type of fashion model is very different and has quite different impacts in terms of the environment, the economy, and culture. It is now only right that one examines the details of this discussion in an effort to understand each and why specifically can be valuable to modern customers.

What is Fast Fashion?

Fast Fashion can also be defined as the functional concept of faster and inexpensive production of clothes to copy them. It’s all about speed: which in best take weeks and at times days to travel from the designer’s ramp to the counter of other trendy cosmetic shops. Such presently thriving retail stores like Zara, H&M, Forever 21 among others are clear examples of firms that have successfully introduced this model selling fashionable apparels at virtually a third of prices estimated in fashion runways.

To some amount, this is not actually true; the unique achievement of fast fashion is that it erases manufacture clothes cheaply. As of now, all the Fast Fashion firms use a large, relatively low cost supply system in many developing countries. Their goal therefore is to give consumers designer wear replica at cheap prices so that fashion is not a Gin for the well-to-do only. The goal? To make sure that the customers are visiting the store frequently based on the reason that the stock very often changes.

Thus, this strategy has its implications.

The Effects of fast fashion on the Planet

The other disapproval of the Fast Fashion system is the concern with the environmental effects of this system. Ellen

In the detailed report on clothing industry shared by MacArthur Foundation they estimated that there are 92 million tons of textile waste which is produced in a year. This is mostly the case because of the high levels of garments production—garments, usually, which are worn for a short time only and then discarded. Just like most fast fashion brands, there’s emphasis placed on the number and speed of turnover, and so, the clothing is not built to last, which contributes to the culture of discard-able fashion.

Moreover, the industry discharges a large amount of wastes into water sources. After food coloring textile dyeing is the second largest polluter of water dead discharging hazardous material into rivers and streams. Most clothing that can be attributed to the fast fashion industry such as polyester fabrics, is synthetic fabric that does not decompose and is a causative of the micro plastics in the seas. Such microplastics become ingested by sea creatures and then passed on to other creatures that in turn are consumed directly by us.

Fast fashion another problem there is that many brands produce clothes without thinking critically whether the items will sell or not. Garments purchasing for the fast fashion and distribution of the products have a high impact in GHG emission that leads to climatic change.

The following therefore will focus on examining fast fashion as a socio economic issue.

In the documentary called Fast Fashion human rights violations are lurking behind the scenes. In order to offer their products at the lowest price possible, most brand owners outsource production to countries where labor costs are low. This has led into poor working conditions, long sessions under working and low wages that garment workers are paid majority of whom are women. The risks that majority of the workers are expose to are physical risks, many of these factories have no health and safety measures.

Undoubtedly, one of the most famous examples of such risky situations is the tragedy of 2013 when a garment factory collapsed in Bangladesh, and more than 1,100 employees died. This disaster meant; most countries of the world realized the cut-throat nature of Fast Fashion business and demanded change and #Justice from such companies.

What is Slow Fashion?

On the other hand, Slow Fashion is the manner in which slow, careful, and deliberate fashion is and in a way helps in developing sustainable fashion. They make it possible for consumers to buy fewer of inferior goods and more of goods which will have longer life. Slow fashion is comparatively to a turtle type of fashion; basically, it is about reducing the impact upon the environment and the rights of the workers and the latter puts a good emphasis on the issue of supply.

These are skillful work, paying its employees and concern for the environment. Unlike fast fashion, slow fashion designs for products with a lifespan that is forever and with materials that can be used over and over. Brands like Patagonia, Reformation, Stella McCartney, and many more are already usual bearers of this idea and offer products, which are made with high standards, sustainable, and created to last.

Social and Environmental Impact of Slow Fashion

Slow Fashion contributes to minimizing waste in a very large manner. The rationale is that fashion matters invites consumer to buy well made clothing which will have a longer life span compared to discarding old clothes to landfills. Superior fabrics guarantee a long durability such that they may be used for months, if not for years.

Eco-friendly brands include organic or recycled fabrics, including organic cotton, linen, hemp or reprocessed polyester. These materials are more friendly to the environment as compared to the normal cotton fiber or polymeric fibers. The principles of organic farming for example, are non-use of excessive water and prohibition of poisonous pesticides.

In addition, most Slow Fashion labels have a no-waste or the circular fashion system in place. This means they make their clothes in a way that creates no waste, or they make clothes that are effectively recycled at the end of their useful life, thus making the fashion industry less hostile to the environment.

Developing ethical practices in slow fashion

Slow Fashion also recognize the rights of worker with the payment of a proper wages as well as working under proper conditions. In contrast to the Fast Fashion, orientation on the speed and cheapness, Slow Fashion earns time to create the transparent supply chain. This comprises of the gross practices, which tries to make sure that labor receives a fair treatment and that there is balance in the business dealings between buyer and seller.

As well, Slow Fashion brands work with artisans and producer bases, which means supporting craft or localized production. Both these aspects are not only beneficial in displaying the originality of the cultural wealth but, at the same time, initiate sustainable living.

The Consumer Perspective: Fast Fashion vs. Slow Fashion

This is why consumers find Fast Fashion convenient; with cheap prices and easy accessibility. It enables people to engage in the latest fashions at the lowest cost possible. But this is at the expense of the environment and the people who sew the clothes in the business. However, as more people get educated on these problems, some are beginning to consider what it really costs to use Fast Fashion.

On the other hand, Slow Fashion targets individuals who are able to spend their money on quality gears, which are made in a proper way. They appreciate traditional models that were suitable for several years, unlike models that are offered by Fast Fashion. However, the problem of Slow Fashion’s price is an essential aspect because sustainability and ethicality require more money to be invested.