Even though outsourced labor has been a problem for the past 20 or so years, we still haven’t solved the fast fashion dilemma–in fact, it’s getting worse.
First off, we buy clothes. Lots of ’em.
In 2013, Americans purchased 64 items per person, and when a piece of clothing can go from a sketch to the rack in as little as three weeks, that makes total sense. H&M CEO Karl-Johan Persson said, “We have new garments coming into the stores almost every day, so if you go to an H&M store today and come back two days later, you will always find something new.” Also, we want to be on trend, so we’re willing to spend the money to do so.
…Which makes these dudes loads of money.
Betcha didn’t know the chairman of H&M, Stefan Persson, is the 28th richest person in the world. Oh, and the co-founder of Zara, Amancio Ortega? He’s the 4th richest person.
But the only way to turn a profit on such cheap items is by making it in large volumes overseas.
Today, only 2% of the clothing we wear is made in the United States.