CHAP Event pulls the threads on Fast Fashion's Impact

PC's Cultural and Historical Awareness Program (CHAP) Presented a wonderful discussion on the current state of the fashion and clothing industries during it's presentation of “Unstitching Fast Fashion: Avoiding cheap clothing that harms workers, consumers, and the environment” on Wednesday March 6th.

Panelist and personal sewist Hannah Rice of Langley Threads, Maria Roman of the American Association Of University Women (AAUW), and PC Student Marissa Jones each first gave a presentation on their own personal experiences with fashion throughout the years and then answered questions as a panel. We saw vast perspectives on clothes creation and purchasing from the early prevalence of hand-me-downs and homemade clothing in the 60s and 70s through the explosion of "fast fashion boutiques" like Shien and Temu and then what might be seen as a resurgence of "thrifting" or buying used or vintage clothing again today.

Speakers explored the pitfalls of fast fashion, the creation of cheap and mass produced clothing for sale in online apps and stores, and the effect it has had on on all of us in recent years. From lower quality clothing that doesn't last like the hand-me-downs of the past, having to spend more money on replacement clothing each year and a negative impact on the environment, we've all seen our share of the problems caused by fast fashion.

The full video of the event is below.

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