The True Cost of Fashion: Profits over Human Rights?

Fashion is everywhere you go, no matter where you call home. People express the way they want people to see them, how they feel, their personalities, and style through fashion. But, do you ever think about the whole entire process it takes to make your favorite shirt, dress, or pair of jeans? Honestly, I didn’t either. If I saw a ridiculously cheap price tag on a cute shirt, I was buying it. Unaware of the impact I was making on the world by catching such a “sweet” deal, ignorance was truly bliss.

This is a guest post by Cristina Nika, an aspiring fashion, beauty and healthy lifestyle blogger. We hope that you find it enjoyable and informative.

With our world being driven by “fast fashion”, the process where new fashion trends are constantly being made for the sole purpose of keeping consumers up to date, most people don’t take into account that quickly-made, cheaper products cost more damage than good. Let's discuss the true cost of fashion.

Ignorance Is Bliss

Over-crowded manufacturing factories, low wages, unfair working conditions, and genetically modified organisms are just a few reasons why consumers should be motivated to shop more consciously. But, do these factors pop in your mind when you’re shopping at your favorite store in the mall? I can’t lie, until recently, I didn’t either.

“Good business and economic practice can pull people out of poverty, innovate and generate new environmentally benign production methods, and supply chains. I knew that increased customer awareness and action could transform our bankrupt, unsustainable economic system into a restorative economy.” Safia Minney, founder and CEO of People Tree, said it better than I ever could.

When the true cost of how my favorite brands produce their products was revealed, my ignorance was no longer blissful. Is my 3 dollar tank top more important than human rights? By gaining more knowledge, consumers can truly make a difference by shopping with companies that are promoting and raising awareness about ecological fashion.

With fair trade companies like People Tree, eco fashion is changing the process of cutting corners with GMO tainted crops and the unfair working conditions that mass production factory workers deal with every day. It benefits farmers and consumers while encouraging community empowerment, sustainable development, and the fair treatment of employees.

Dirty Side Tricks

Are “sweat shops” good for the economy? Some would argue that it is morally wrong that factory workers are put in terrible working conditions with low wages. Others would argue that mass production factories give poor communities a place to work where there are no other alternatives. But, The True Cost of Fashion documentary digs deep into the fashion industry and shows a side of fashion you never knew.

This documentary illustrates the hope that globalization of products could be a win-win scenario was only a myth. It was created to help lower economy countries receive new jobs and generate cheaper prices for consumers around the world. But, with the huge demand for fast fashion, the costs to consumers are going down but the wages to the workers are as well. Dirty side tricks like poor working conditions and low wages should be a thing of the past. The 2013 Savar building collapse, one of the deadliest garment-factory accidents in history, was a huge wake up call for the fashion industry. Even with warnings to leave the collapsing building, production didn’t stop. Reports of over 1100 factory worker deaths could have been avoided if the workers had proper working conditions.

We communicate who we wish to be through our fashion choices, but are other people’s human rights worth making a fashion statement? Fashion as we know it has to change, and we as consumers should take a deeper look into fair trade companies all over the world. Rock your eco fashion wardrobe with pride knowing that you made a positive impact on the world.

About the Author:

Cristina Nika is an aspiring blogger who likes to get lost in the world of fashion, beauty and healthy lifestyle. She is a regular author at High Style Life, constantly in search of love and finding it in different places every time. Never miss an opportunity to treat her with some coffee.

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