Did you know that most clothes you purchase fall under fast fashion? Did you know that this has a dark side? Join Dalal, James, Joshua, and Pooja as they unravel the larger costs of fast fashion and brainstorm next steps.
Intro Music Credits: composed by Pooja Maniyeri and Joshua Thomas
Editing Credits: Amaan Shad
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Speaker1: [00:00:05] Hey, guys, and welcome back to another episode of Tea with Gen Z, the podcast, where we discuss the latest topics by you and for you, I'm your host and welcome to today's episode. Today we're going to be talking about fast fashion, and a lot of you might not know what that is, but that's why we're here today. We're going to be explaining to you exactly what it is. I'm talking a little bit more about it. Joining with me today, we have my lovely co-hosts James, Joshua and Puto. Hello, friends.
Speaker2: [00:00:32] Hi, welcome everybody to another episode. What's up, guys?
Speaker3: [00:00:37] Hey, guys. How are
Speaker1: [00:00:39] You? Hi, Pooja. Hi, James, and hi, Joshua. I'm great. Thank you so much for asking. So to begin today's episode, I want to know where you guys shop from, where you buy your clothes from. Let me know.
Speaker3: [00:00:52] Yeah, from the mall all the time,
Speaker1: [00:00:55] Which is a mall shopper.
Speaker2: [00:00:58] That's where we're different. I feel like that is such a boomer thing.
Speaker3: [00:01:01] You calling me a boomer while this man believe this?
Speaker2: [00:01:06] Literally, my entire Instagram feed is just fashion ad. So most of the things that I buy are from online,
Speaker4: [00:01:12] Though I am also boomer. I also buy my clothes from the mall, so don't way.
Speaker1: [00:01:16] But my answer is a hybrid between both of you guys. I have an unhealthy obsession with shopping, so I don't really care if it's online, in person, in the mall or wherever. Whenever I see something, I get it if I want to, which is a problem. I know it's a problem. But we're working on it. We're trying,
Speaker4: [00:01:36] We're
Speaker1: [00:01:37] Living it day by day. But yeah, I am a shopaholic. But that brings me to the topic of today, which is fast fashion, and that is a problem that is very common nowadays. And do you guys even know what that is? No. So let me give you the dictionary definition of fast fashion. Just to preface, this is not my definition. This is what we found on the internet. So according to this source, fast fashion is inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass market retailers in response to the latest trends.
Speaker2: [00:02:15] Let me give you a quick analogy just to make the explanation a little easier. Think of fast fashion as the equivalent of fast food not necessarily the highest quality, but it appeals to the widest range of market.
Speaker1: [00:02:28] That's a great analogy, James, and a key element of fast fashion is that it's often done unethically and without any regards to human wellbeing and environmental wellbeing. So there's a lot of issues that come with producing clothes under fast fashion industries, and there's a lot of problems that come with it. Like I mentioned, I feel like this is something that not a lot of people give much thought to when they buy clothes. If they see something they like, they just buy it. They don't really think about how it was produced or what was done to produce these clothing. Does that make any sense? Do you guys relate to that?
Speaker3: [00:03:03] Yes, I mean, the thing is, we see this stuff on social media all the time, how it's produced unethically and everything, but I feel like when we actually go like when I actually go to the mall, it just goes out of my head, if that makes sense, which it shouldn't. But it does. And I feel like one of the important aspects of fast fashion is that it's super fast, and I know that it sounds pretty obvious, but like there are a lot of times when you go to the mall and you have like this particular dress you want to buy, but you're like, Oh, I'll come, I'll come later with my friends and my family and buy it again. But it's not there anymore, so it goes in and out. That's exactly why it's called fast fashion, because it's mass produced was very cheap labor. And so they produce a massive amount of clothes to the extent that if you check out a closed one day might not even be there the next day.
Speaker4: [00:03:51] So when you guys said that, like fast fashion is produced unethically, what are some of the ways that that that it's unethical?
Speaker1: [00:04:00] So I'm going to talk about it from an environmental perspective. There are a lot of issues with producing clothes, fast fashion. Usually, the textiles or the textures that are made often go to waste. There's a lot of excess fabrics that are used that end up in landfills. Not only that, but Puja mentioned a while ago that you go to the mall one week, you see a dress. The next it's gone. You would think that common sense would say that it was out of stock. It was sold. Everyone bought it. But no, they get rid of it. They throw it to the trash. They end up in landfills. And that causes a lot of issues on the environment. And there's a lot of stress that could be there with landfills and waste. So it's definitely unethical, environmentally speaking.
Speaker2: [00:04:39] And another way that fast fashion is sometimes unethical is also the way that they treat their workers from the entire supply chain. There are areas where some fast fashion companies exploit people. This could be farmers growing cut, and
Speaker3: [00:04:55] Fashion also mostly uses child labor, which is horrifying. And they also target these young children and women, mostly in very exploitative circumstances. So they work in unsafe environments, and they have no protection against these environments. And, you know, while we're wearing the clothes are over like we're we're young and we're buying the clothes, there are people who are at the risk of dying to produce these clothes for us. And those are young children,
Speaker1: [00:05:25] Which is why they're so cheap for us. Like a shirt that could cost in their homes probably cost about two dirhams to make. And then the rest is just a profit for the company with no regard to wages.
Speaker2: [00:05:38] But that's the thing guys would be whole unethical aspect of fast fashion. Why do you think that people still continue to support these companies? What kind of compels people to buy there?
Speaker1: [00:05:49] That's the biggest question that someone might have when it comes to fast fashion, but the most obvious answer is because it's cheap. People value cheap clothes, they want to clothes, they don't want to pay a lot of money for clothes all the time, there's obviously luxury brands and luxury items that people want, but that's not an everyday thing.
Speaker3: [00:06:10] So I also feel like it's super accessible. Personally, I want to buy clothes that are more sustainable, but it might be very few and far between, whereas fast fashion is accessible everywhere. Like you go to every corner store, every mall, it's all over the place. So I think it's very easy for us to buy it because it's everywhere. Rather than searching for like a thrift store.
Speaker4: [00:06:32] Yeah, and I feel like another reason that fast fashion is so prevalent is social media like you see people, you see influencers just buying clothes and then wearing them and saying they support this brand, but that brand, but then they're like, they're not. They're not ethical, they're not sustainable. And there's many
Speaker2: [00:06:51] Reasons. Yeah, and I mean, that goes back as well to the whole concept of fast fashion, they're producing clothes at a fast pace, meaning there's new styles coming in every week, and that might be appealing for some people. You know, they might want to jump on the hype or the trend or the latest kind of an item, and that might be another reason why people do continue to support fast fashion brand.
Speaker1: [00:07:18] I think it gives us a chance to look back. But our priorities as mankind and to think about how fast paced and how fast moving the world has become. Fashion trends are coming in and out, it's so fast, it's so overwhelming, but do we really need that? Is that something so necessary? Do we really need new shirts every week? Do we need new styles every week? It's something that's so trivial. And yes, fashion is so fun. It's a way of expressing yourself. I love fashion personally. But when I think about the negative effects that it has on other people and the environment, by the way, this if this affects every one of us because the impacts that have on the environment can be global eventually. So it's selfish for us to. Right now, indulge in fast fashion without regards for other people and without regards to ourself in the future or our future children.
Speaker2: [00:08:12] That's the thing that all I think what you said, as well as something that applies to everybody personally, I love shopping as well. I think we might be similar in that regard. It's fun. It's a way to express yourself, but you hit the nail on the head when you said that there are consequences to even ourselves because the way that fast fashion works and that how it affects the environment, I read somewhere that about 20 percent of the water waste in the world is caused by fast fashion or that specific industry. And can you imagine, like how significant that is?
Speaker1: [00:08:49] Wow, OK, that's that hit hard. I feel like. It's such a difficult thing because, like we mentioned, I'm guilty of shopping fast fashion, I'm not saying I'm a saint. I definitely am someone who participates in this, but I'm trying my best to not. Anymore. I don't know, it's such a difficult thing because. Like Pooja mentioned, it's about convenience and accessibility, and right now, the world is so focused on fast fashion that it's very hard for you to find other clothes in other places that are completely ethical. And that brings us to the ethical dilemmas of fast fashion in general. There's a lot, actually.
Speaker4: [00:09:32] So when you say there's ethical dilemmas like, first of all, who's responsible for most of these unethical actions that take place in the production? What do you guys think?
Speaker2: [00:09:43] I think, Josh, for the easy answer for anybody, it's just to blame the company itself, you know, pin it all on them. It's their fault. They're exploiting the workers, they're doing this, they're doing that because it distances ourself from the actual cost. But if we actually just tried to dig deep and understand it better, their decisions are being driven by the market, by what we want. And so if all we're pushing for are new items every week at cheap prices, of course they're going to have to find a way to meet that. And so I feel like it's. It's a mix, because we can't also just say that it's purely consumers. I think we can share the blame both the consumers and also the manufacturers.
Speaker3: [00:10:27] I actually disagree with you a little, because I feel like, yes, as consumers, we do have a lot of power, I'm not negating that by any chance. But at the same time, the industries are really powerful. They have the option to use ethical to use. They have the choice to use ethical options, but they do not. And even if they share the blame, I would feel like it's 90 percent industries and 10 percent consumers because these industries, they have huge amount of power. Right. But with the consumers, not everyone is able to afford expensive clothes or not. Everyone is able to go to options where they produce sustainable clothing simply because of the accessibility that I mentioned earlier. So I think that if these industries start producing ethical clothing, then of course consumers would buy that. But right now we're buying fast fashion simply because that is what is available most of the time,
Speaker1: [00:11:22] Which is right. I agree with Pooja in a sense that there is most of the blame on manufacturers because if you think about it, like I mentioned, it takes three to four their homes to produce a shirt, for example. Why is it being priced at 40? Why are we paying 40 50 times? The profit margins are insane. They could definitely be reduced significantly so we can pay people wages so we can find more sustainable options for producing codes. And yes, eventually we'll have to pay a little bit more for the shirt. But personally, I think I wouldn't mind paying 10 15 their homes more for a sustainable piece of clothing that was made ethically and obviously like ethics are such a gray area of thinking and there is always a debate on ethics. But one small correction is better than nothing.
Speaker2: [00:12:15] But that's true, and that's kind of the dilemma involved with this is that in order for brands to start producing ethically or to source their materials in the correct way, oftentimes that would lead into an increase in prices as well as the finished product. When companies do focus on sustainability and ethical aspects, it would lead to an increase in price. And are consumers right now willing to spend there. So that's the reason why I say that we kind of have to make our money do the talking as well in the sense that we need to start supporting companies that we believe are doing the right thing. And I think that's important to discuss in this episode to maybe help our listeners find avenues and ways to support these forward thinking, ethical, sustainable companies. So what do you guys think are possible solutions?
Speaker4: [00:13:14] I think one way that we could start is looking at local businesses and smaller producers that that would be more ethical in certain areas that because they're producing lower quantity and that could be more ethical at the end of the day.
Speaker1: [00:13:29] Small businesses often produce unique items that are handmade and you know, the money is going straight to the owner and the profit margins are usually less. So, yes, I think it's a good idea to shop locally small businesses, there
Speaker3: [00:13:48] Are people who really cannot afford expensive clothing, but there are some of us who can. And even if that's like a hundred room shirt and a mall, we will buy that. But we won't buy the same shirt produced in like a small business. But the thing is, if we begin supporting small business and brands that choose ethical options, they're going to have to work towards making sustainable fashion. Because trends are set by us, consumers have a lot of power. In the end, they're going to have to cater to what we need. And if what we need is ethical options in sustainable fashion, then they're going to be forced into making that. I know this seems really far fetched and really idealistic, but as contributors, we have so much power. If we boycott certain brands that produce fast fashion and that that are really unethical, that exploit their workers. And we shift to brands that give ethical options and are locally sourced and protect the workers who are creating this. Then the power is going to shift as well, because with that trend, especially the young people, literally every mall or every brand caters to us in general. And so when we buy more of the ethical products, there are going to be forced to cater to those needs and it's going to make a difference. And a lot of people think like, I'm just one person. What is what difference is it going to make?
Speaker2: [00:15:12] Roger, you were spot on. We, as consumers, definitely have the power to move the market, so to speak, by picking the right people and brands to support. We can definitely push for more sustainable fashion industry. But to add on to some more practical steps that we can take right now itself. One of them would be to cut down on this sort of consumerism where we just have to keep buying. This is something that I'm actually personally guilty of. I love to shop as well, but sometimes I just have to stop myself and think, Why am I why? Why do I have to get this new item? Do I really need it? And I think this is the first step kind of cutting back our purchases because this also does eliminate some of the waste that we produce. But if we do have to purchase new items, we can consider looking into thrifting, first
Speaker1: [00:16:13] Thing isn't super the idea. It's becoming a trend more and more nowadays. But I actually am not Super Pro thrifting, even though I've been thrifting a couple of times. I just think that the whole concept or the reason why thrifting was a thing is allow for people who cannot afford clothes at a fast fashion price. To be able to find clothing and when we as consumers who are fortunate enough to be able to afford clothes at a more higher price, going to these thrift stores and markets and buy all the stock out. We create a higher demand for people and thrifting becomes more expensive. People struggle to find clothes at thrift stores just so us. Just so we can find, quote unquote trendy clothes and go through thing and be like cool kids. Like one might say, so I think their thing depends on your financial state, and if you really want to go thrifting, go ahead, do it. It's not my place to tell you what to do and not to do, but just think about it a little bit before you commit.
Speaker4: [00:17:25] Yeah. Also, instead of drifting, there's always donation bins that are always in our buildings or nearby, we can always donate our old clothes and there can be given to poor people and stuff.
Speaker1: [00:17:36] So I I definitely think that's a good idea. But again, I think that if you were to donate clothes, try to give them directly by yourself rather than a third party donation sites or areas. I'm not saying that this is an issue in the UAE. I'm just speaking generally. Usually donation bins and donation companies, most of the clothes actually end up in landfills, which is against the whole idea of donating clothes and contribute to environmental damage. So if you have clothes that you really need to donate or you want to donate, it's better to give them to your siblings, for example, your cousins, your friends, families or families in need. A lot of people do know people, so you can drop them off personally, and I think that that guarantees your clothes are going into safe hands.
Speaker2: [00:18:28] So as you guys can see, fashion definitely is a great tool in expressing yourselves and a way for us to have fun. But we should consider the ethical and environmental aspects to it as well. So the next time that we are tempted to go and purchase something from a fast fashion brand, let's just stop and consider if this is something that we really need to push through with. And if there are alternatives that we can do instead. With that, that is a wrap for today's episode. Thank you for listening.
Speaker1: [00:19:00] Make sure to follow us on Instagram at Gen-Z underscored to stay updated with all of our posts, we have some fun content coming up, so you don't want to miss out on that.
Speaker4: [00:19:09] And don't forget, guys, keep sipping tea with Z. Bye, guys.