Tongfei Kou's Blog

From: The Observer
Original Title: Why fast fashion is slow death for the planet
Author: Lucy Siegle
Published on 8 May, 2011
Few changes have been made when reposted to shorten the article

Tongfei wants to say：
This article talks about the “fast fashion” philosophy as a new marketing strategy implemented by those major fashion enterprises in recent years. This marketing model has been recognised as a success by looking at companies’ financial figures, but who can see the truth behind the prosper or who really wants to see? The “fast fashion” does not only harm the sustainability of nature, but also results social problems such as comparisons on luxury. So, which one is important, business revenue or sustainability? We need a balance!

Therefore, I believe this is a meaningful article bringing us again the discussion of business ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The author, Lucy Siegle, says:
With high-street chains churning out fresh designs every few weeks, we now buy more cheap clothes than ever before. But as Lucy Siegle reveals in her hard-hitting new book To Die For, it’s a trend that will cost us far more than we imagine

It has never short of shoppers on the Oxford Street in London, even in rainy days. A young lady walked out of Primark, the store well-known for its low-cost “affordable fashion”. There were 6-7 kraft bags in hand fully filled with shopping trophies. One of the overwhelmed bags cracked and colourful clothes spread all over. Surprisingly, this lady didn’t pick them up, because they are wetted by the rain. All the clothes were lying on the street and waiting for sanitation workers. Read more »