For the longest time, big corporations from various industries have been unethical and were untruthful about what they were doing. However as consumers being more aware of what these companies have been doing, they must be more transparent to keep their clients loyal to the company. As many industries have evolved, still to this day many brands and companies in the fashion industry are hiding their unethical truths such as pollution and the terrible labour conditions. This article will be axed on how consumers have changed the fashion industry from a social and ethical point of view rather than a business point of view.
To commence, it’s not that long ago since the fashion industry has been abolishing child slavery. Even though it is still going on, there has been a 30% decrease since 2010. Although there is still 10%of the world’s children whom are used to work in dangerous textile factories and sow garments in very low working conditions, all because of the fast fashion era which is happening, well, now. It is inevitable that from now to a couple of ears consumers and the government will be demanding a complete abolishment of child labour which in other words equalize to child slavery. Considering consumers only know about child slavery since 1997, there are many programs and volunteers who have helped non profits to make a change even if it is small.
To continue on a different note, consumers will have an impact on the fashion industry by buying wholesome products from companies who market made locally or will go for smaller businesses who show where their clothing and products are made and to show if it’s ethical or not kind of like the beauty company Lush. They show on all their products who packaged it and made the product by sticking a sticker on the package or the product’s bottle. So by consumers being socially responsible, it makes a huge difference for fashion companies who have that many less clients. So they will start being more sustainable and ethical for business reasons.
Consumers like the millennials have a little more disposable income then before so they are not afraid to spend more for a garment or product if it is socially responsible or ethical compared to fast fashion companies such as forever 21 and Zara.
To finalize many companies to appear sustainable will go all out with the made in Canada rather than offshore whether that is China, India, Pakistan or others, just because the assembling of the garment are made in Canada so consumers encourage the labour being fair paid compared to under developed countries. However what many consumers seem to forget is that the textile mules and factories are terrible for working conditions and child slavery.
Overall there is still a lot to be done when looking at the unethical actions major fast fashion companies are executing. However consumers and the public have been making social responsible actions such as volunteering, funding non profits and purchasing from local businesses. Transforming the fashion industry one consumer at a time is the goal.
The Millennials' Fashion Industry 