The Dark side of Shein

The Dark side of Shein

Due to the ongoing conflict between India and China, The Indian government banned the use of 59 Chinese app in the country. It included many famous apps like Clubfactory, Shareit, Camscanner, Shein, and many more. The one app which left every Indian fashion lover heartbroken is Shein. Shein is an international B2C fast fashion brand and probably one of the most popular apps among girls across the globe, with their cheap prices and quirky styles, they expanded pretty quickly. The company mainly focuses on women’s wear, but it also offers men’s apparel, children’s clothes, accessories, shoes, bags, and other fashion items. The brand was founded in October 2008, and since then it works on the philosophy that “everyone can enjoy the beauty of fashion”.Its business covers more than 220 countries and regions around the world. 

But do you ever wonder how did they succeed in cutting down their costs so much? The same top that you get for around 1000 rupees in brands like H&M and Zara, are easily available for half the price at Shein. This is due to the kind of fabric they use, most of their clothing items are made up of synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon which are cheaper when compared to cotton or rayon. You must have heard a lot of people complain about their low quality and accountability but apparently, it’s all worth it when it is cheap. 

 Secondly, Shein and other Chinese fast fashion apps were importing their goods under “samples and gifts” because of which they didn’t have to pay any customs. Hence, cutting down their costs. Even though the GOI passed an amendment to India’s foreign trade policy restricting companies from importing “samples and gifts” duty-free. The aim was to keep companies like Shein from using the provisions to evade tax as they have reportedly been underbilling items to get past customs without having to pay the import duty. 

Fast fashion sites like Shein, club factory, etc are also known to use unethical ways like:-

a.) They do not pay their workers a living wage and often use child labor. The reason your dresses from Shein are so cheap is that the person sewing them isn’t paid enough.

b.) Fast fashion is also greatly harming our environment. 85% of the clothing ends up in landfills every year and makes up 10% of global carbon emissions. Fast fashion is also the 2nd largest consumer of our water supply, and it pollutes rivers with micro plastics.

c.) Sites like Shein tricks you into spending more money. It is designed for you to value quantity over quality and buy more, so even though the clothes are very cheap, you end up spending more. 

d.) They disrespect religions, recently Shein has been seen selling the sacred prayer mat used by Muslims to pray as a doormat. Shein has also been stealing designs from Indian culture and giving them their names. Similarly, certain small designers also came up accusing Shein of stealing their ideas and not giving them any credit. 

Even though the app has been banned by the government there’s no guarantee if the ban will be permanent or not. If not, I would like to encourage people not the shop from sites like Shein and club factory and support local Indian brands which will not only help the Indian economy but also help India to achieve “Aatma Nirbharta”. There are certain alternatives to apps like Shein like thrift stores available on sites like Instagram, local Facebook vendors, and many more Indian brands.