What is Fast Fashion?

The term "Fast fashion" refers to the business model of producing and selling cheap clothing quickly and in large quantities, often inspired by latest fashion trends. Fast fashion brands typically produce new collections in a short time frame, often releasing new styles every few weeks, using cheap materials and labor to keep costs low.

Fast fashion has become a popular way for consumers to stay up-to-date with the latest fashion trends without breaking the bank. However, it has also been criticised for its negative impact on the environment, as the rapid turnover of clothing items contributes to textile waste and pollution. On top of that, the labour practices of many fast fashion brands have been criticised for exploiting workers in developing countries, where wages are often low and working conditions are far from those which we would deem acceptable!

Where did Fast Fashion come from?

Fast fashion originated in the 1990s, as retailers began to adopt a new business model that emphasised speed and low costs over traditional methods of clothing production. The globalisation of trade and advancements in technology allowed retailers to produce and distribute clothing more quickly and efficiently than ever before.

One of the earliest fast fashion brands was Zara, the Spanish clothing retailer pioneered the concept of "fast fashion" in the late 1990s. Zara's business model involved designing, manufacturing, and distributing new clothing lines within a matter of weeks, rather than months or years. This allowed the company to stay ahead of fashion trends and rapidly respond to customer demand.

Other fast fashion brands soon followed, including H&M, Forever 21, and Primark. These brands offer a wide variety of clothing trends at low prices, making fashion more accessible to consumers who previously could may not have been able to afford to keep up with the latest trends.

However, the fast fashion model has recently come under scrutiny, as concerns about sustainability and ethical working conditions have grown. As a result, some companies are beginning to adopt more sustainable and ethical practices, such as using eco-friendly materials, paying workers fair wages and providing good working environments.

What can we do?

There are several ways we can (try to) all help:

Reduce consumption: One of the most effective ways to stop fast fashion is to reduce consumption. So buy fewer clothes, or start purchasing more high-quality items that are made to last, and wearing clothes for longer periods.

Support sustainable and ethical fashion brands: There are many fashion brands that are committed to producing clothes in a sustainable and ethical manner (like Randy Cow's products). By supporting these brands, you can help reduce the demand for fast fashion and encourage the industry to change and start adopting better practices all round.

Buy secondhand: Another way to reduce the demand for fast fashion is to buy secondhand clothes. You can find great deals on high-quality clothing at thrift stores, consignment shops, and online. To quote the late Vivienne Westwood: "Buy Less, Choose Well, Make it Last".

By raising awareness, we can all help create a culture of responsible consumption and encourage others to make more sustainable choices.  Sometimes a small change by many people, can have a bigger impact that a big change by the few, so next time we are out shopping, try and spare a thought to what you're buying and whether you can make a little change ✌️