This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Kelly Xiong. Find her on Instagram at @k.3lly. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Fast fashion is everywhere nowadays, which also means they’re harder to avoid. At this point, we all know the harmful effects of fast fashion and how it is built on the backs of exploited workers in third-world countries. I, like some others, stopped shopping at Shein once we knew the truth behind how they were able to put out thousands of pieces every day. There is no ethical way to produce this much and this fast. Though we know about the big fast fashion brands like Shein, Fashion Nova, H&M and Forever 21—the big waste contributors in fashion, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Recently on TikTok, someone posted a video showing a set she bought from Jaded London. If you don’t know what Jaded London is, the brand is pretty high-end and is on par with Urban Outfitters—very expensive. She later showed that the top she supposedly thought was from this very expensive brand had a Shein tag attached to it. This then raised many questions. One of them being, “Is Jaded London fast fashion then?” And if so, what other brands are also getting pieces from Shein and raising the price by over 10 times?
After this whole debacle occurred, many went to see what else Jaded London has that Shein also sells. One user found a jean skirt on Jaded Lonon’s website retailing for $105 but found the same skirt on Shein for $20. So, is Shein just copying the brand’s designs and reselling them for cheaper? Or do they both use the same manufacturer and factory—Shein’s presumably—and that’s why they have the same pieces on their websites? Many commenters on these videos shared their own experiences with this situation as well as giving some insight as to how this happened. One commenter said, “The one time I ordered from Shein and I actually got a dress with a Zara tag.” Another comment said, “People think Princess Polly, Motel Rocks, Jaded London are legit when they all sprung up at the exact time as Shein.”
This whole situation shows just how prevalent fast fashion is and can be. It is almost quite literally everywhere, and it is very hard to escape it. One user gave the tip of reverse Google searching the images on the brand’s website. See where else it is being resold and for what price. Though this is super helpful, there are some ethical and moral questions.
If all these brands and companies are buying from the same factory and manufacturer and reselling them, then who do we buy from? Should we just opt for the cheapest option then, even though we know about their unethical practices? But then again, aren’t all these brands engaging in unethical practices, if they’re all buying from the same place, one that exploits their workers for profit? This Jaded London situation uncovers a lot of questions we have to ask ourselves. What are we willing to overlook for a piece of clothing that we don’t even really need?
At the end of the day, it’s your money and your choice. However, we do need to acknowledge that the horrible conditions the workers are experiencing are no joke. It is a serious matter and does violate many labor laws and human rights acts. We cannot preach about human rights while actively supporting a system that goes against all of that. We can go down many other routes, such as buying second-hand. It is much more sustainable and you’re giving that piece of clothing a new life. If you know how to style them, it can turn into an amazing fit.
Let us know your thoughts on the whole Jaded London, Shein situation below:
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