The start of the era of fast fashion

Earth Day was just celebrated worldwide and sustainability continues to be a key practice in limiting climate change– especially when it comes to what we put in our closets.

According to the 2022 Fast Fashion Global Market Report by Research and Markets, the fast fashion market is projected to grow from $91.23 billion in 2021 to $99.23 billion over the course of 2022. Fast fashion is a phrase that refers to a brand strategy focusing on the rapid production and marketing of clothing. The clothing is typically made using inexpensive human labor and processed with cheap, harmful synthetic materials derived from coal and petroleum.

Fast fashion companies such as online style and beauty retailer Shein have partnered with the festival giant Coachella, despite the controversy the brand carries due to its allegations of human rights violations and environmental harm. According to research from Business of Fashion, Shein adds an average of 314,877 new items to its website daily.