Problematic brands and their alternatives
- Janki Nair
- Jul 1, 2020
- 3 min read
This one’s for all my Gen Z’ers, all my zoomers. There is a lot going on around us socially right now. Whether it is the protests against police brutality or a push towards a more tolerant society for the LGBTQIA+ community. So how does all of this affect fashion? Throughout the ages, fashion has been a crucible for the goings-on in society and that does not change even now. So, as we protest for #BLM and fight the fight to end systematic racism, we have to remember to support only those brands which align with our values and beliefs and not only pay lip service but actually work towards ending racism in the fashion industry.
With that in mind, here are some fast fashion brands who have been accused of underpaying or even not paying workers in factories in countries like India and especially Bangladesh. I would like to take this moment to remind you that these accusations are not recent and have been prevalent since the ’80s and ’90s and it is about time that these brands changed the way things worked.
1. Zara
Yes, yes I know… Zara’s clothes are really chic and stylish and a cheaper version of what goes down the runway. This retailer which opened its doors in 1975 is one of the most profitable fast fashion brands in the industry. But at what cost? Even if we set aside the ecological cost of producing and manufacturing Zara’s clothes (a lot of which often goes to waste) Zara has been accused of using sweatshops and other labour malpractices since 2011. That is nine f*cking years!
2. H&M
Ah! H&M. I am personally guilty of this brand. I will be the first to admit that most of the things that I own and are in my closet are from H&M. And what can I say except it’s affordable and cute? And I made myself feel better by telling myself that at least I’m contributing ecologically by donating my old clothes to their Conscious initiative. But… I stand disappointed once again. From workers passing out due to toxic fumes and poor ventilation to allegedly exploiting child labourers, supporting H&M is becoming more and more difficult each day.
3. Nike
Nike is everybody’s favourite sports apparel company. From thousand dollar shoes to affordable yoga pants, Nike has everything. What Nike also has is poor labour protection and safety guidelines and child labour. Need I say more?
4. Gap
The Gap comes off, somehow, as a worse offender on this list maybe because of how its subsidiaries also operate. Companies like Banana Republic and Old Navy which are also owned by Gap Inc. also are privy to the labour malpractices committed by their parent company. Gap has forced its sweatshop workers to not only work under horrendous circumstances but also forced abortions on female workers in order to continue their job. This is misuse and abuse of power in the highest degree that none of us can stand for.
5. Fashion Nova
Fashion Nova’s controversy, like the company itself, is fairly recent. In the recent wave of accusations about companies failing to pay billions of dollars to Bangladeshi workers, Fashion Nova has also been outed. In times like this when we support anti-racist movements, it is highly inappropriate to use such brands which fail to compensate their workers despite the orders already being shipped.
So, if not use such brands what can we do? Well, that is a good question with a fairly easy answer. Shop local. There are hundreds and thousands of retailers on Instagram and on the internet in general who can provide affordable clothing and accessories at probably cheaper rates. Using indie brands not only helps the brands grow but also fosters a sense of community between the brands and their consumers.
Visit www.supportgarmentworkers.org to help those affected by the pandemic and also to show your support and solidarity to help pay those workers who have not been paid.
In these times, it might be difficult to go out and shop from retailers with brick and mortar stores so find ones which have an active online presence. One of my favourites for trendy clothing and accessories in India is www.bewakoof.com
And finally, and this might be the hard part, use the clothes you already own and try to minimize consuming from such brands as much as you can. Trust me what you have in your closet is GORGEOUS and enough! You don’t need to pile up more and more clothes and not donate any of it. It’ll not only burn through your wallet but also cause damage to the environment.
On that note, I’d like to say goodbye. Please subscribe if you like my blogs and follow me on my socials listed down below!
Resources:
Comments