The Detrimental Impact Of Fast Fashion On Developing Countries

The documentary, The True Cost, explores the detrimental impact of “fast fashion” on developing nations. The ephemeral fashion trends in today’s society requires mass quantities of cheap clothing, without regard to the workers that produce these goods. In fact, only 3% of clothes are made in the U.S. In recent years, companies like Topshop, Gap, H&M, Forever 21, etc. resorted to globalized production to lower retail prices. As a result, the demand for these products is so high that factory managers encourage, if not, force their workers to cut corners and disregard safety regulations for the sake of mass production. These working conditions lead to various tragedies including the events at Ali Enterprises (289 dead), Tazeen Fashion (112 dead), and Rana Plaza (1,129 dead).

More specifically, the subpar conditions of the garment factories in India and Haiti violate the geographic rights of the locals based on its dilapidated facilities and waste bi products. As for Haiti, only

However, women like Safia Minney, the founder and CEO of People Tree supports fair trade. She designs collections that account for the livelihood of the workers she employs. Without businesses that promote fair trade and policies in place to protect the rights of workers, factory owners will continue to abuse them, in the interest of making a profit. Consequently, the fleeting nature of fashion in American society is enabling the mistreatment of textile workers for the sake of a cheap product. Hence, the root of the issue are the American consumers that perpetuate the cycle of fast fashion. In retrospect, I can recall moments in my life when I bought and discarded clothing, without considering who suffered to produce it. After watching The True Cost, I will make a conscientious effort to seek out clothing locally sourced, produced ethically, or even