exposing brands i would never work for
Today I will be discussing some concerning facts about brands I would have never suspected, while researching information about the industry. For these reasons I would never work for such brands in the future. I will keep it short and brief for each brand as one fact is enough to stir me away from them until I see some effort from them to change. Starting off strong,
Victoria secret
While ten years ago, the brand was accused of using child labor, it is again at the heart of another scandal. Many models were sexually harassed and bullied by two top executives, and those who complained about this lost their jobs shortly after. Second up on the list!!
GUESS
GUESS is an American designer clothing brand that was founded in 1981 and is now extremely popular all around the world. One of GUESS’ founders was also accused of sexual harassment and assault by different models working for the brand. Some of the accusations date back to 2009, and the company had turned a blind eye to the issue up until recently! The next brand I never would have suspected,
PacSun
Most products we can find on PacSun’s website are made with unsustainable materials. The brand has a “sustainability shop” with clothes made from eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton or recycled polyester. Unfortunately, many of these are mixed with synthetic materials. It also has jeans made from “sustainably sourced cotton,” but the company does not explain what it means. The brand also does not provide evidence that all workers in its supply chain are paid fair wages. To top it all off, in 2015, a former employee filed an wage theft lawsuit against PacSun! Next up, one of my former favorite brands until I did some deeper research,
CIDER
With almost five million followers on Instagram and more than four million likes on TikTok, CIDER has become one of social media’s most trendy fashion brands since its creation in 2020. But it is not the most sustainable and ethical! The brand states that “the monthly wages of all employees shall not be lower than the local minimum wage.” The problem is that the minimum wage in China, where CIDER produces its clothes, is way below what people need to live decently. Cannot forget the next one,
Shein
With over 20 million followers on Instagram, Chinese brand Shein quickly became popular thanks to social media. It adds 500 products to its website each day, at ridiculously cheap prices. Shein assures us that it does not use forced or child labor and that it offers its workers above-average wages. Yet, it is hard to believe that the company pays its workers fairly, selling products that are so cheap. In 2020, the brand was widely criticized for posting on its website a necklace in the shape of a swastika as well as Islamic prayer mats. Last but certainly not least,
H&M
H&M, a famous Swedish brand, is the second-largest fashion retailer in the world, and one we should avoid! In 2018, despite its promises, the company failed to pay 850,000 garment workers a living wage. Many female workers are also physically & sexually abused.
To top it all off, Maybe H&M should start by donating its unsold clothes instead of burning them?
