Photography : James Isaac
Lexy, the fall of Forever 21 has been a wake-up call for many in the fashion industry. How do you think this signals a broader shift in the fast fashion landscape? Is it a sign of the industry’s decline, or merely a temporary stumble?
I wish I could say Forever 21 is failing because we’ve all collectively rejected fast fashion, waste, and unethical production—and that consumers have fully moved toward sustainability. That would be nice, right? And to be fair, we are more educated than ever. Gen Z, in particular, cares more about ethical production and environmental impact than any generation before. But if that were enough to take down a giant like Forever 21, we wouldn’t still see Shein and Temu thriving.
The reality is, Forever 21’s struggles are a mix of bad business decisions, shifting shopping habits, and brutal competition. They expanded too aggressively into massive retail spaces just as mall traffic started to decline. Their e-commerce game was weak compared to brands that mastered digital-first strategies.
After reaching out to over 200 potential buyers and still coming up empty, Forever 21’s situation is more than just a rough patch—it’s a major red flag for traditional fast fashion retailers.
Forever 21’s collapse is a good thing for the environment. It’s one less company mass-producing plastic-based fabrics that end up in landfills, contributing to pollution and textile waste. But at the same time, it’s important to acknowledge the real human impact—store closures mean thousands of employees will lose their jobs, and that’s never a good thing. Retail workers, many of whom rely on these jobs, will be the ones feeling the effects the most, and I don’t take that lightly.
That said, this moment is a wake-up call for fast fashion. More and more, shoppers are demanding better—quality, ethical production, sustainability—and the industry is being forced to listen. Hopefully, sustainability in fashion isn’t just another passing trend—it needs to be the future. If we continue to put pressure on brands to evolve in their production, sourcing, and labor practices, they’ll be forced to adapt in a way that benefits both the planet and the people who make our clothes. The real challenge now is ensuring that the shift toward a more sustainable fashion industry doesn’t come at the cost of workers’ livelihoods. Change is necessary, but it should be thoughtful and inclusive, creating better conditions across the board.
2. Forever 21’s downfall signals major challenges for traditional fast fashion, but what about ultra-fast fashion brands like Shein and Temu? Do you think they’re on the same trajectory, or are they adapting in ways that could allow them to survive longer?
Forever 21’s collapse proves that old-school fast fashion brands can’t keep up. Shopping habits are changing, and the days of massive mall storefronts and endless racks of cheap, trendy clothes are fading. But Shein? The ultra-fast fashion company from China is playing a different game. They’ve supercharged fast fashion with AI-driven trend predictions, lightning-fast production cycles, and a direct-to-consumer model that cuts out traditional retail entirely. Designs go from concept to reality in days, flooding the market with thousands of new styles each week. Unlike traditional brands that produce in bulk and hope trends stick, Shein tests small batches, scales only what sells, and avoids excess inventory. It’s a system built for speed and profit—but at a massive environmental and ethical cost.
Their dominance has surpassed anything Forever 21 ever achieved, but that doesn’t mean they’re invincible. Scrutiny over labor practices, environmental damage, and supply chain transparency is growing. Regulators in the U.S. and Europe are taking notice, and as more consumers wake up to the real cost of their $5 tops, the pressure is only going to build.
If Shein wants to avoid the same fate, they’ll have to evolve—fast. Either they take sustainability and ethics seriously, or they’ll have to find ways to dodge tighter regulations. The real question isn’t just if they’ll collapse, but whether lawmakers and consumers will force them to change before it happens. Because let’s be honest—without real accountability, they’ll keep pushing the limits as long as they can get away with it.
3. Given that Shein, Amazon, and Temu have so far managed to evade real consequences, what will it take for that to change? Are there any signs that regulatory pressure, consumer awareness, or other forces could finally disrupt their dominance?
Shein, Amazon, and Temu have built their whole business model on moving faster than accountability—but that doesn’t mean they’ll get away with it forever. The pressure is building. Governments are finally starting to crack down. Shein is under investigation in both the U.S. and Europe for labor violations. Lawmakers are pushing for stricter import regulations that could slow their insane growth. And consumers? They’re getting louder. Some influencers—who once hyped up massive hauls—are now calling out the real cost of these brands: exploitation, pollution, and disposable fashion that falls apart after one wash.
But here’s the real question: Will any of this be enough to actually force change before the damage gets worse? Because right now, these brands are masters at dodging consequences. They pivot. They rebrand. They tweak their supply chains just enough to stay one step ahead of regulation. But if we start seeing real financial or legal pushback—massive fines, blocked imports, or serious consumer backlash—they might actually have to adjust.
The challenge now isn’t just exposing what’s wrong—we already know that part. The challenge is making sure accountability keeps up with how fast they move. Because if we don’t, they’ll just keep finding new loopholes and pushing the limits until they can’t anymore.
4. What specific steps should be taken to hold Shein, Amazon, and Temu accountable for their environmental impact and sustainability practices? Are consumer boycotts, stricter regulations, or something else the key to meaningful change?
Tackling the environmental and ethical failures of ultra-fast fashion requires action on multiple levels, but the most effective approach is a combination of strict policy enforcement and consumer-driven pressure. Governments need to enforce transparency laws, ban deceptive sustainability claims, and penalize companies that exploit labor or violate environmental standards. But regulation alone won’t work if demand remains high—brands will always find loopholes. That’s where consumers come in. Instead of just avoiding bad brands, people should actively support ethical alternatives and pressure major retailers to improve their practices.
One area that’s often overlooked is the role of influencers. Social media has fueled Shein and Temu’s dominance, so if creators shifted their messaging—promoting sustainable fashion over disposable trends—it could trigger real change. The biggest challenge isn’t just getting people to care, but making sustainable choices as accessible and appealing as fast fashion. If we can align government enforcement, industry standards, and consumer shifts, real accountability becomes possible.
5. As a sustainable fashion advocate, what would an ideal future for fast fashion look like in your eyes? Can the industry pivot, or do we need to completely rethink how we approach clothing consumption?
The industry must pivot, and we have to rethink fashion entirely—not just slow it down, but fundamentally change how we produce, consume, and interact with clothing. The current system of mass-producing cheap, disposable garments is unsustainable and built on a cycle of overproduction, waste, and exploitation. Instead of minor improvements, we need a complete overhaul that prioritizes quality over quantity, circularity over disposability, and innovation over outdated practices.
One of the biggest shifts must be on-demand manufacturing, where clothing is produced in small batches or only when ordered, eliminating excess inventory. AI-driven supply chains can help predict demand more accurately, reducing waste at the production level. Resale, rental, and repair services must be mainstream, making sustainable fashion the norm rather than the niche.
Technology must be part of the solution, not to accelerate fast fashion but to redefine the way garments are made. 3D printing and automated knitting, for example, offer the potential to create custom, waste-free textiles that eliminate excess fabric waste and overproduction. Innovations in textile technology can make manufacturing more precise, sustainable, and efficient, proving that we don’t need to compromise on style or accessibility to build a more responsible fashion industry.
But let’s be real—this isn’t easy. It’s going to take a lot of people with a lot of will and innovation to make real change happen. Brands, consumers, policymakers, and tech pioneers all need to be on board. It’s not about minor adjustments or greenwashing; it’s about dismantling outdated systems and creating a future where sustainability isn’t an afterthought, but the foundation of fashion itself.
The future of fashion isn’t just about slowing down—it’s about revolutionizing how we create, buy, and wear clothing.
6. With Earth Day 2025 on the horizon, what do you think needs to happen for this year’s observance to truly inspire change in the way people consume fashion? How can Earth Day become a platform for rethinking the fashion industry’s environmental impact?
That’s the big question, right? Earth Day has been around since 1970, and back then, it actually led to real change—things like the Clean Air Act, the EPA, actual policies that made a difference. But when it comes to fashion? Earth Day hasn’t had that kind of impact.
We’ve had decades of environmental activism, yet fashion is still one of the biggest polluters. Every year, brands use Earth Day as a marketing opportunity, pushing “sustainable” collections that don’t really change anything. So how do we make it more than just a hashtag or a PR moment?
Honestly, I don’t know exactly. It’s easy for Earth Day to feel like Presidents’ Day—something people acknowledge without truly understanding its meaning. Maybe it needs to be more political, like it was in the ‘70s. What if it became a rallying point for real laws that hold brands accountable, like making them responsible for recycling their own waste? California is already leading the charge—imagine if that went global.
Or maybe it’s about transparency. Right now, brands get away with vague "green" claims without proof. What if Earth Day was the day we called them out—a worst offenders list for brands destroying the planet? What if we publicly shamed corporations for polluting rivers, named garment workers who never got paid, and exposed factory conditions? Maybe we need to get louder and more direct for things to actually change.
Let’s be honest—right now, we don’t have a federal government that’s going to fix this. The EPA isn’t stepping in to regulate fashion’s environmental impact. That means states that care, like California, are going to have to lead. And where lawmakers won’t act, public pressure has to. If companies refuse to do the right thing, maybe Earth Day should be the moment we make it impossible for them not to.
We’re already seeing some of that energy during Los Angeles Climate Week (April 6-13, 2025), where events like the Regenerative Flea Market are pushing for a grassroots response to the crisis. Instead of waiting for governments or corporations to step up, these kinds of community-driven movements are giving people real tools to challenge wasteful consumption and rethink fashion’s role in the climate fight.
The reality is, Earth Day isn’t disrupting fashion’s status quo. The industry keeps moving, and we keep having the same conversation year after year. So what’s it going to take to make Earth Day actually push fashion forward instead of just being another feel-good moment? Maybe it’s time we stop being polite about it.
7. Fast fashion often caters to consumers looking for affordable, on-trend pieces. How can we strike a balance between affordability and sustainability without sacrificing one for the other?
I totally get it—I talk about this every single day. There are SO MANY ways to be sustainable and save money at the same time. Thrifting, thrifting, thrifting. Seriously, I’d rather go to Goodwill and get a high-quality piece that’s actually made to last than spend $10 on Shein junk that smells like straight-up chemicals the second you open the box.
And let’s be honest—the guilt alone is enough to stop me. Knowing I’d be supporting unfair labor practices just so I can wear something that literally falls apart after one wash? No thanks. The whole system is designed to keep people buying more because the clothes don’t last, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Here’s the thing—sustainability isn’t just about thrifting or buying expensive “eco-friendly” brands. I always say sustainability is an umbrella term—there are so many ways to do it. It’s about buying smarter and not getting sucked into microtrends that last a month. But it’s also about just not buying anything at all, borrowing from friends, or repairing what you already have. The most sustainable thing is what’s already in your closet. You don’t have to throw away non-sustainable pieces—in fact, keeping them and making them last as long as possible is the best thing you can do.
So how do you stay on budget and be more sustainable? Easy. Thrift stores are packed with better materials, unique styles, and way more personality than anything ultra-fast fashion churns out. Clothing swaps are a fun way to refresh your wardrobe without spending a dime. And if something gets damaged? Mend it, upcycle it, or get creative—fashion should be about self-expression, not just constant consumption.
The goal isn’t to make sustainability some elite, impossible thing. It should be the norm. And honestly, once you stop chasing fast fashion and start actually caring about what you wear, you’ll never want to go back.
Like, would you rather own something that actually feels good and lasts—or something that turns into garbage after two wears?
8. The concept of "buying less, but better" is gaining traction. How do you envision this changing shopping habits, especially among younger generations who are often more susceptible to trends?
It’s not about never shopping—it’s about shopping smarter. If you love fringe, wear fringe forever. If red looks amazing on you, make it your signature color instead of switching to the “color of the year” that doesn’t even suit your skin tone. Fashion should be about what makes you feel good, not just what’s trending on TikTok for five seconds.
The shift toward “buying less, but better” is challenging the idea that newness equals style. Younger generations are realizing that personal style isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about curating a wardrobe that actually works for them. The endless cycle of fast fashion hauls and microtrends is exhausting, expensive, and harmful to both people and the planet. Instead of constantly cycling through disposable clothing, there’s a growing movement toward investing in pieces that last.
Capsule wardrobes are becoming more popular, focusing on fewer, higher-quality staples that can be worn in multiple ways. A well-fitting pair of jeans, a classic blazer, timeless shoes—these are the foundation of a wardrobe that doesn’t need to be constantly replaced. When everything in your closet works together, getting dressed becomes easier, more stylish, and more sustainable. It’s a shift away from overconsumption and toward intentionality.
Thrifting has also become a major part of this movement, offering an affordable and sustainable way to shop. Why spend money on cheaply made fast fashion that falls apart after one wash when you can find unique, well-made vintage pieces for the same price? Secondhand shopping, clothing swaps, and even upcycling old pieces are all ways to refresh a wardrobe without feeding into mass production.
But making this shift stick requires more than just individual choices. The fashion industry and influencers need to change the way they promote style. Instead of pushing constant hauls, there needs to be more emphasis on rewearing, styling, and making thoughtful purchases. If brands and content creators championed longevity instead of disposability, it would reshape the way people shop.
The goal isn’t to stop shopping altogether. It’s to break free from the cycle of impulse buying and create a wardrobe that actually lasts—one that reflects personal style instead of fleeting trends. Fashion should be something you invest in, not something you throw away.
9. What role do fashion brands have in educating consumers about the environmental and social costs of their purchases? Are we seeing enough effort from brands to help consumers make more informed choices, or is more work needed?
Brands have a huge responsibility to educate consumers, but most don’t. Why? Maybe an uninformed shopper is easier to manipulate. If people don’t know where their clothes come from or how they’re made, they’re less likely to question the true cost behind a $5 t-shirt. Instead of offering real transparency, many brands hide behind vague “sustainable” buzzwords without actually changing their practices.
It shouldn’t be this hard for consumers to make informed choices. Imagine if garment labels included a real breakdown of what you were buying—the carbon footprint, the materials used, the wages paid to the workers who made it. Technology exists to track supply chains more accurately than ever, and brands could use it to educate rather than just market. But that would mean admitting uncomfortable truths, like the fact that most fast fashion is built on overproduction, waste, and unfair wages.
Some brands are figuring out how to do things better. Pact, for example, makes Fair Trade, organic cotton basics at reasonable prices. Kotn is another affordable brand that focuses on ethically sourced materials and transparent labor practices. These companies prove that sustainability doesn’t have to mean luxury pricing. If they can do it, why can’t the major fashion giants?
But let’s be real—this change isn’t going to come from within the industry alone. Policy matters. And unfortunately, with the EPA being stripped of funding and a U.S. administration that doesn’t seem too concerned with environmental regulations, the U.S. isn’t going to be leading the way here. Europe, on the other hand, is stepping up with stricter laws on supply chain transparency and waste reduction. That means here in the U.S., it’s going to be up to brands and consumers to push for change. Companies need to take responsibility, but consumers also need to stop falling for greenwashing and start demanding real transparency. If people refused to buy from brands that refuse to disclose their environmental and labor practices, those brands would have no choice but to adapt.
10. Lastly, what practical advice would you give to someone who wants to make a shift toward more sustainable shopping but isn’t sure where to start? What small changes can have the most impact on both an individual and collective level?
Start small—it literally makes all the difference. When you start thinking about sustainability, it can feel so overwhelming that you just freeze. Like, What can I even do? I’m just one person. Meanwhile, governments aren’t doing enough, the fashion industry is still churning out disposable clothes, and it feels like no matter what you do, the problem is just too big.
But here’s the thing—every small step actually adds up. The worst thing you can do is nothing. You don’t have to go from fast fashion addict to sustainable fashion guru overnight. Just start where you are and do what you can. And more importantly? Celebrate the wins.
Maybe that means pausing before you buy something and asking, Do I really need this? Will I wear it at least 30 times? Maybe it’s thrifting more instead of buying new. Maybe it’s learning how to repair a rip in your favorite jeans instead of tossing them. Maybe it’s just washing your clothes on cold and air-drying them so they last longer. None of these things require spending more money or making a huge lifestyle shift—but they all help.
And when you do buy something new? Make it count. Choose quality over quantity. Invest in pieces that will actually last instead of ones that fall apart after a couple of wears. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being better than yesterday.
The reality is, systemic change takes time, and we’re not going to fix everything overnight. But if millions of people made even small shifts in how they shop, wear, and take care of their clothes, the collective impact would be massive. So do what you can, celebrate those small wins, and expand from there. That’s how real change starts.
