Fast Fashion/Slow Fashion - What's the Difference?

The fashion industry represents nearly 3% of French GDP ; this sector brings in more than 150 billion euros in turnover to our country, and is responsible for 580,000 direct jobs . It is a sector that weighs heavily in France, but yet, it is the third most polluting industry in the world (the first two places in this sad ranking being occupied by transport and the food industry).

Textile industry giants are offering ever-increasing clothing and collections at unbeatable prices. At the same time, more and more small, local brands are emerging to encourage us to consume fashion ethically and responsibly. Fast fashion or slow fashion: what's the difference, and how do you choose?

Fast fashion: the overconsumption of fashion

Fast fashion, as its name suggests, is made up of brands that produce quickly, in large quantities , and frequently renew their collections. The prices of their items are generally very low. When a classic fashion brand will release 4 collections per year, a fast-fashion brand can release up to 36, thus pushing consumers to consume more and more . This is not without consequences for the planet: to produce these clothes at ridiculously low prices, these brands often have their production in Asia (particularly in China), where labor is cheap... because it is exploited . Not to mention the carbon footprint of this production , whose materials and finished products travel to the four corners of the globe!

They also opt for synthetic materials , often harmful, whose production requires a lot of water; these materials are often of low quality and will not last over time... Thus encouraging you to renew your wardrobe more frequently.

It's a fact: we're wearing our clothes for less and less time, and we're buying... 60% more than we did 15 years ago! Fast-fashion brands still manage, thanks to some very good marketing campaigns, to make you think you've gotten a good deal. However, the final price comes at a cost, and unfortunately, it's the environment and workers who pay for it !

Slow fashion: a responsible and reasoned consumption of fashion

Slow fashion, on the other hand, calls for ethical production and responsible consumption of fashion . Very often produced locally (France, if not Europe), it favors natural and/or recycled materials (such as organic cotton, lyocell, linen, wool, etc.) over those derived from petrochemicals. A slow fashion brand will also pay particular attention to the working conditions within its production chain: no forced labor, no child labor, respect for human rights, compliance with the International Labor Organization, etc.

All of this obviously comes at a cost: that of fair, healthy, and safe production. Of course, when you're used to buying €4.90 t-shirts from major textile retailers, a €55 sweater made in France may seem expensive, but this price is justified by the working conditions, production conditions, and above all, the quality : a slow-fashion garment will last much longer. Many labels can help you identify ethical and responsible clothing: GOTS, Oeko Tex, OCS,  GRS, FairWear Founation, SloWeAre…

We hope this article will help you see things a little more clearly and help you make your choice between fast fashion and slow fashion!
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