FAST FASHION

Topic: The Controversy of Fast Fashion: Environmental Impact vs. Accessibility

Hello, everyone. Let me introduce myself. I’m Tran Hai Yen. What I’d like to present to
you today is…. My topic is very important to you because of understanding these aspects,
you can make more informed decisions about your shopping habits and contribute to a
more sustainable future.

I’ve divided my topic into three parts. I’ll start off by giving definition of fast fashion.
Then I’ll move on to show you some its environmental impacts. I’ll end with discussing
the accessibility of fast fashion.

My talk should take about 7 ‘minutes. There will be time for questions after my
presentation. And don’t worry about taking notes. I’ll be handing out copies of the PP
slides.

So, let me give you definition of fast fashion…

1. What is fast fashion

- The term ‘fast fashion’ has become more prominent in conversations surrounding
fashion, sustainability, and environmental consciousness. The term refers to
‘cheaply produced and priced garments that copy the latest catwalk styles and get
pumped quickly through stores in order to maximise on current trends’.
- The fast fashion model is so-called because it involves the rapid design,
production, distribution, and marketing of clothing, which means that retailers are
able to pull large quantities of greater product variety and allow consumers to get
more fashion and product differentiation at a low price.
- The term was first used at the beginning of the 1990s, when Zara landed in New
York. “Fast fashion” was coined by the New York Times to describe Zara’s
mission to take only 15 days for a garment to go from the design stage to being
sold in stores. The biggest players in the fast fashion world include Zara,
UNIQLO, Forever 21 and H&M.
I’d like to draw your attention to…
2. Fast fashion and its environmental impact
a, Water
- The environmental impact of fast fashion comprises the depletion of non-
renewable sources, emission of greenhouse gases and the use of massive amounts
of water and energy.
 - The fashion industry is the second largest consumer industry of water, requiring
about 700 gallons to produce one cotton shirt and 2 000 gallons of water to
produce a pair of jeans.
- Business Insider also cautions that textile dyeing is the world’s second-largest
polluter of water, since the water leftover from the dyeing process is often dumped
into ditches, streams or rivers.
b, Microplastics
- Furthermore, brands use synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon and acrylic which
take hundreds of years to biodegrade. A 2017 report from the International Union
for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimated that 35% of all microplastics – tiny
pieces of non-biodegradable plastic – in the ocean come from the laundering of
synthetic textiles like polyester.
- According to the documentary released in 2015, The True Cost, the world
consumes around 80 billion new pieces of clothing every year, 400% more than
the consumption twenty years ago. The average American now generates 82
pounds of textile waste each year. The production of leather requires large
amounts of feed, land, water and fossil fuels to raise livestock, while the tanning
process is among the most toxic in all of the fashion supply chain because the
chemicals used to tan leather -including mineral salts, formaldehyde, coal-tar
derivatives and various oils and dyes- is not biodegradable and contaminates
water sources.

c, Energy
- The production of making plastic fibres into textiles is an energy-intensive
process that requires large amounts of petroleum and releases volatile particulate
matter and acids like hydrogen chloride.
- Additionally, cotton, which is in a large amount of fast fashion products, is also
not environmentally friendly to manufacture. Pesticides deemed necessary for the
growth of cotton presents health risks to farmers.
- To counter this waste caused by fast fashion, more sustainable fabrics that can be
used in clothing include wild silk, organic cotton, linen, hemp and lyocell.

Let turn to the next part…

3. Fast Fashion and Its Accessibility

a, Convenience and Accessibility

 - Fast fashion is easily accessible in most retail stores and online, making it convenient
for consumers to purchase. This can be a stark contrast to sustainable fashion
options, which may be harder to find and require more effort to purchase.
- The convenience of fast fashion is further enhanced by the wide range of sizes and
styles available, making it easier for consumers to find something that fits and meets
their needs and preferences. However, the limited size options available from
sustainable clothing manufacturers can make it difficult for people with non-
standard body sizes to find clothing that fits them well.
- This ease of access and convenience makes fast fashion an attractive option for those
who want to efficiently update their wardrobe without significant investment.

b, Social and cultural influences

- Social and cultural pressures play a significant role in driving consumers to

purchase fast fashion garments.
- From societal expectations around fashion trends and brands to cultural and religious
beliefs, these influences can make it difficult for individuals to resist the temptation
of fast fashion.
- Social media platforms, like Instagram and TikTok, exacerbate this pressure by
constantly showcasing the latest fashion trends, making it easy for consumers to feel
like they need to keep up with the latest styles to fit in with their social circle or make
a good impression.
- Compared to luxury fashion, the affordability of fast fashion has made it accessible
to a wider range of consumers. As a result, owning fast fashion clothing can be a
symbol of keeping up with the latest trends and can even lead to the first impression
of having the same status as someone who can afford luxury fashion.
- The desire to feel socially accepted and on-trend can drive consumers to seek out fast
fashion as a way to express themselves and their personal style, and the constant
influx of new styles and trends offered by fast fashion meets this desire almost
effortlessly.
Now I’d like you to take a look at this next slide, this graph shows the growth of clothing
sales and decline in clothing utilization from 2000 to 2015. The yellow line shows world
GDP in billion, the purple line shows clothing sales in billion, and the blue line shows the
average number of times an item is worn. These two statistics are the embodiment of fast
fashion. Clothing sales doubled from 100 to 200 billion units a year, while the average
number of times an item was worn decreased by 36% overall.

Conclusion

Well, this brings me to the end of my presentation. Before I stop, let me go through my
main points again. To sum up, it’s crucial to acknowledge the significant environmental
and social costs associated with this business model. As consumers, by opting for
sustainable brands, investing in quality over quantity, and promoting a culture of reusing
and recycling, we can help steer the fashion industry towards a more sustainable future.

Let's remember, fashion can be fast, but our planet's resources are not limitless. Thank
you all for your listening. Now I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have!

Q&A: How can we convince others to quit fast fashion? Education is at the core of a
more sustainable future. However, it’s important to address the complexities and
personal nature of fashion, such as personal finances, inclusivity, accessibility, and
more.