“Shein’s Controversial Pop-Up Store: Cheap Fast Fashion or Environmental Disaster?”

2023-05-05 05:42:54

Thibaud Hue, edited by Loane Nader / Photo credit: Richard A. Brooks / AFP
07h42, the 05th of 2023

This Thursday, the controversial fast fashion giant Shein opened a pop-up store where customers can snap up ever cheaper items. The Chinese brand owes its bad reputation to a production that cares little about the environmental and working conditions of its employees.

Customers flocked to this small shop in the Marais district of Paris on Thursday. Trendy and inexpensive clothing brand Shein celebrated the opening of its pop-up store by inviting many influencers to promote the event. If this symbol of fast fashion drags pans behind it, with in particular scandals over the deplorable working conditions of its employees, customers were delighted at the sight of hangers on dresses and pants for less than ten euros.

Reduced prices to encourage consumption, which is not a problem for Manon, an influencer invited to promote the brand on her social networks. “I don’t think it’s a tragedy. But for me, it’s all fast fashion brands that are like that. So from that moment when you go to Zara or everywhere, you have to be aware of that Also.”

Forced labor of Uyghurs in China

Another guest of the event’s organizers concedes that Shein’s carbon footprint is gigantic, but business is still business. “I am aware of fast fashion which is ultra negative on the brand. But suddenly, since they are my customers, I will not spit on it either”, defends Alissa, influencer with 37,000 subscribers. “Sometimes the values, we have to put them aside in relation to the budget, to finance, to a rent of 800 balls for 16 m² in Paris, it’s complicated.”

And if the brand is accused of using Uyghur forced labor camps in China, representatives of the brand prefer to avoid the question. “Do forced labor camps still exist today? No, I don’t think so.” Same story for the sign, which affirms the presence of a rumor through another employee of the store. In the meantime, Shein’s pop-up store will welcome several thousand customers during these four days of opening.

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