SINGAPORE: Fast fashion, like many industries, comes with a trade-off. But the allure of trendy clothing at rock-bottom prices is hard to resist for some despite environmental and ethical costs - often out of sight and out of mind. So what happens when risk hits closer to home? South Korean authorities reported in May that a few products sold by online retail giant Shein were allegedly found to contain high levels of phthalate s, a group of hormone-disrupting chemicals linked to obesity, some cancers and fertility problems.
The company reportedly filed for a London initial public offering in June amid roadblocks to its United States listing. The risk becomes personal. While concerns about factory conditions and polluted waterways may seem more distant, toxic chemicals that can directly impact our health and our children’s health may appear to be a more immediate threat for many.
Could this be the tipping point that gets more consumers to reject fast fashion’s current model? WHEN EVERYDAY PRODUCTS BECOME A THREAT Unfortunately, it may take more than a health scare to suddenly turn people off unsustainable fashion, but the hope is it will start a shift in consumer priorities - like in the personal care market. In the era of fast beauty, there are similar health risks related to chemical exposure. In 2022, women filed a wave of lawsuits in the US against popular brands of hair straightening products containing formaldehyde, a chemical linked to cancer and respiratory problem.
