Clothing started out as a basic need, protection and warmth against the elements. Over time, it evolved to represent much more – status, wealth, power, art, culture, identity and individualism. It’s become an important pillar of our society, and it’s still evolving today.
However, with the rise of industrialization and globalization, clothes have become increasingly financially accessible. In fact, with fast fashion, they aren’t just accessible – they’re so cheap that they’ve become disposable.
You can now buy a shirt or a dress for the same price as a lunchtime meal, wear it once, and throw it away to little consequence. Or so it seems.
This shift to disposable clothing is actually having huge consequences in two major areas: the environment, and the people in the industry.
Excessive waste, exploitation of workers, hazardous pollution and lack of transparency – these issues are just the tip of the iceberg. Check out the infographic below to see some of the problems that the fashion industry is facing, and potential solutions.
