EPQ Research 3

9/6/21

I found a thread of information by @theslowfactory on Instagram regarding fast fashion, it highlights the idea that fast fashion is a woman's rights issue.

What I was hoping to find out: I was hoping to find out some of the ethical factors behind the production and distribution of fast fashion through this source. I was hoping to further develop knowledge on where the term 'fast fashion' came from to describe unsustainably produced garments. I am interested to discover some extra facts and information about fast fashion which I didn't know before, this may be helpful for my introduction. 

What I have learnt: I discovered from this source that the term 'fast fashion' came from Zara's turnaround rate upon when the store arrived in the US in the 1980s, which increased to overproduction, overconsumption and waste. Clothing production has doubled globally over the past 15 years, fuelling the industry's exploitative machine which completely disconnects consumers with those who make the clothes and the environmental consequences of the system.

85% of garment workers are young Asian and South-eastern women aged 18-24. They earn less then $3 per day. Failure to reach the extremely high quota of garments per hour means they don't get paid at all. Women within the industry are extremely overworked and underpaid.

Fashion Revolution and Re-Make are movements which raise public awareness on the women behind our garments, their working conditions and low wages. They demand transparency and accountability from fast fashion companies.

Lots of gender based inequality, violence and harassment within the industry. 60% of garment workers in Bangladesh reported feeling intimidated or threatened with violence at work, 34% of female garment workers said they experienced sexual harassment, including kissing, touching and hitting. 

The media doesn't always show us this due to the biases of Western media, but there are women constantly protesting in India, Bangladesh and Ghana for their right to higher wages and better, safer working conditions. 

'Across the entire supply chain, fast fashion is a women's rights issue'

How reliable is this source?: This source is from an Instagram page called @theslowfactory which clearly preaches environmental justice and human rights. There is evidently lots of research which goes into their Instagram posts and the information seems very factual. However, it may not be 100% reliable because it is not a well known page.