Ethics of Fashion

[John 6IX Breezy]

This all seems very doable to me, but the main thing that would have to change then, from the consumer's perspective, is FASHION. Decisions about how you look would have to be made differently. Zara prospers because when a movie star wears something today, Zara has it on shelves in Ohio next week.

It could be a lot of fun, though. Imagine if the people who set the fashion were local kids (not international stars), working with local materials. It would mean that fashion on the east side of Osaka could evolve to be wildly different from New York or London, which would each have their own trends and pleasures and playfulness.

Hmm but is this a negative when it comes to Zara? In many ways I get the sense that the fashion scene has moved away from the massive trends that used to sweep the culture (like everyone buying a furby for Christmas or wearing a specific kind of shirt), to smaller more individualized trends defined by subcultures. Fashion used to envelop an entire generation—we know what defines the 80s for example. But it's harder to define newer generations. There's been a splintering effect in the market that grows with every generation.

So if I could make an argument in favor of Zara and other fast fashion brands. They have the benefit of being many things to many people. They allow for diversity of style in ways that a smaller more niche brand cannot.

I think given the choice between improving the practices of Zara, and getting rid of Zara, having Zara-like stores around is good for consumers.