The rise and rise of fashion giant Shein 5 hours ago By Daniel Thomas, Lora Jones & Lucy Hooker , Business reporters, BBC News Share Getty Images The biggest order 17-year-old Michaela says she ever made on Shein was for £150, when she bought "16 plus items". Like millions of others, she's a huge fan of the ultra-fast fashion giant, mostly because of how affordable it is. She also likes the way the influencers on YouTube she watches offer Shein discount codes, which makes her "buy more".
Over the last decade, Shein has gone from a little-known brand among older shoppers to one of the biggest fast fashion retailers globally. The Chinese firm - which also sells a huge range of beauty and home products - doubled its profits to more than $2bn (£1.6bn) last year, making more than the Swedish fashion group H&M and the UK's Primark and Next.
Today, it ships to customers in 150 countries across the world. However, as the company explores a plan to list its shares on the London Stock Exchange, it remains dogged by controversy over its environmental impact and working practices - including allegations of forced labour in its supply chain. Michaela is aware of the backlash and particularly concerned by the amount of plastic Shein uses in its packaging.
But she feels most fashion brands face similar criticism and that "not everyone can afford high-end clothing". "So at the back of my mind I feel quite bad when I purchase things, but at the same time it's convenient," she tells the BBC..
