A fashion show featuring models walking in the middle of a hot and arid desert might not seem like an appealing idea. But as far as the Atacama Desert in South America's Chile is concerned, it is an imperative idea. The Atacama Fashion Week, set in the driest desert on earth, was the first of its kind – not because of the models and the clothes, which were unique enough, but because of the ramp set amidst a pile of discarded clothing.
Atacama Desert has towering piles of clothes dumped on the outskirts of the city of Alto Hospicio. Zara, H&M, Adidas – you name it, it's there. Most brands that can be found in an average person's wardrobe today are common offenders.
Chile, with its duty-free ports incentivising the booming industry of second-hand clothing, has managed to become the third largest importer of second-hand clothes . Although the intention was to resell them after arrival, most of the clothes end up in the landfill. With Atacama Fashion Week, in April 2024, stylists, designers, and activists hoped to spread awareness and ultimately address and eliminate the larger issue of fast fashion.
Explained: How Atacama Desert Became a Dumping Ground For Discarded Fast Fashion 1. What is Happening in Atacama Desert? Chile imports a massive 60,000 tonnes of used clothing every year, making it the third largest importer of discarded clothes globally. As per the official website of Atacama Fashion Week, while some of these clothes are sold in second-hand markets, at least 39,.
