Let’s go Fashion Green
By: Branden Ruiz & Claire Jane
“Sweatshop Free” is a term in which American Apparel used to describe their labor conditions. Sadly, the famous LA-based brand declared bankruptcy and has shut down most, if not all, their stores. But what exactly does the term “Sweatshop Free” mean? From the clothing racks in big brand stores to your closet, have you ever wondered how these articles of clothing originated? The answer is sweatshops. Sweatshops are factories that have tons of workers that are working poorly in a bad environment.
Don’t think low priced jeans at your local H&M is a total bargain, because behind the scenes say otherwise. It’s actually sketchy as fuck! Reading into the working conditions and low wages, you’ll find that they also employ (if you can call it employ), children under 18. They work long hours, but don’t nearly get paid enough to help support their families.
Big brands from the malls, don’t always have sweatshops mainly from overseas. Even though companies may say they are made in “The USA”, but there are sweatshops based in America. From prisons, inmates are forced to work in a factory making products all day with earning either no money or “pennies on the dollar.” With a simple Google search, you can find out which brands have used cheap labor to be able to sell you a product. You’d be surprised.
We want to introduce you to how f*cked up the fashion industry really is. Sweatshops have been a big problem for our environment. Known as “fast fashion” big companies steal designs from high fashion brand runways and the local artists that independently handmade products for their (big companies) own benefit. Fun Fact: big companies make millions of clothing and half of it will go to the trash while people think it is okay!! But is it really okay? REALLY? We should take action on where we are dropping all of these clothes! Our world isn’t a dumpster!
Although, people make clothes by themselves or overseas, there’s also recycling clothes! You can go to your local thrift shop, like a Goodwill. For those of you who usually shopping online, now so you can go on Depop where people usually sells their re-use clothes! By no means are we trying to shame those who buy from big companies, it’s actually inevitable. Not only does cheap labor exist in the fashion industry, but also in our food supply. We’re just asking you to be cautious and understand that smaller independent brands need to be praised and recognized more often for their ethical fashion.
These are some stores that are sweatshop free that worked so hard on making their clothing store.
· There’s a lot more local artists out there just search them up and make sure you support them!
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