When Did Fast Fashion Start?

Dec 29: Fast fashion is a term that describes the rapid production and consumption of clothing that follows the latest trends. Fast fashion has become a dominant force in the fashion industry, but how did it start and what are its impacts?

The Origins of Fast Fashion

The concept of fast fashion can be traced back to the industrial revolution, when new technologies such as the sewing machine and the factory system enabled mass production of textiles and garments. Before that, clothing was mostly made by hand by skilled artisans or at home by individuals. Clothing was expensive, durable, and customized.

The industrial revolution changed that. Clothing became cheaper, standardized, and ready-made. The first department stores emerged in the late 19th century, offering a variety of clothing options for different classes and occasions. Clothing production also shifted from local to global, as companies sought to lower costs by outsourcing to countries with cheaper labor and materials.

The term “fast fashion” was coined by the New York Times in the 1990s to describe Zara’s strategy of getting a garment from design to stores in just two weeks. Zara was one of the pioneers of fast fashion, along with other brands such as H&M, Forever 21, and Topshop. These brands used advanced supply chains, data analysis, and marketing to quickly respond to changing consumer demands and preferences. They also offered low prices and frequent collections, encouraging customers to buy more and more often.

The Impacts of Fast Fashion

Fast fashion has had a significant impact on the fashion industry and society at large. On one hand, fast fashion has democratized fashion, making it more accessible and affordable for millions of people around the world. It has also stimulated creativity and innovation, as designers and brands compete to offer new styles and products.

On the other hand, fast fashion has also created many problems and challenges, such as:

  •  Environmental degradation: Fast fashion consumes a lot of natural resources, such as water, energy, and land. It also generates a lot of waste, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. According to some estimates, the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of global water waste. Fast fashion also contributes to the depletion of non-renewable resources, such as cotton, oil, and metals.
  •  Social injustice: Fast fashion exploits workers in developing countries, who often work in unsafe and unhealthy conditions for low wages and long hours. Fast fashion also exposes workers to human rights violations, such as child labor, forced labor, discrimination, and violence. According to some reports, there are about 40 million garment workers in the world, most of them women and children.
  •  Cultural appropriation: Fast fashion appropriates elements from different cultures and traditions, often without proper respect or acknowledgment. Fast fashion also homogenizes fashion, erasing the diversity and uniqueness of different styles and expressions.
  •  Psychological effects: Fast fashion affects the way people perceive themselves and others, creating unrealistic expectations and dissatisfaction. Fast fashion also promotes a culture of consumerism, materialism, and disposability, where people value quantity over quality and novelty over durability.

 The Future of Fast Fashion

Fast fashion is facing increasing criticism and resistance from various stakeholders, such as consumers, activists, regulators, and competitors. Some of the trends and initiatives that are challenging fast fashion are:

  •  Slow fashion: Slow fashion is an alternative approach to fashion that emphasizes quality over quantity, sustainability over speed, and ethics over profits. Slow fashion advocates for a more mindful and responsible way of producing and consuming clothing, that respects the environment, the workers, and the culture.
  •  Circular fashion: Circular fashion is a model that aims to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency by designing clothing that can be reused, repaired, recycled, or regenerated. Circular fashion also involves creating closed-loop systems that prevent leakage of materials into the environment.
  •  Ethical fashion: Ethical fashion is a movement that strives to improve the social and environmental impacts of the fashion industry by promoting fair trade, human rights, animal welfare, and organic production. Ethical fashion also empowers consumers to make informed choices about their purchases.
  •  Digital fashion: Digital fashion is a field that explores the use of digital technologies to create, distribute, and consume clothing. Digital fashion includes virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D printing, blockchain, and artificial intelligence. Digital fashion offers new possibilities for personalization, customization, and innovation.

Fast fashion has changed the world of fashion in many ways, both positive and negative. It is up to us to decide how we want to shape its future.