logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2021
22m 5s

Building a world without fast fashion

Al Jazeera
About this episode

As people in wealthy countries look toward a vaccinated future, shopping is on the rise, and for many, the tide of fast fashion is pulling in a way that can feel difficult to escape. Love it or hate it, many feel they can’t live without quick and cheap clothes from brands like H&M or Zara. But activist Hoda Katebi and a collective of garment workers in the US city of Chicago have a radical vision for a world without fast fashion, and they’re taking it on with their own worker-owned factory: Blue Tin Productions.


In this episode:

Hoda Katebi (@hodakatebi), activist

Mercy, member of Blue Tin Production


Connect with The Take: 

Twitter (@AJTheTake), Instagram (@ajthetake) and Facebook (@TheTakePod)

Up next
Today
Is direct action for Palestine 'terrorism'? The UK says it is
The UK has outlawed Palestine Action, grouping it with ISIL and al-Qaeda. Supporters of the group now risk up to 14 years in prison, and arrests of protesters opposed to the listing have already begun. What does the decision reveal about the UK’s approach to protest and civil dis ... Show More
20m 40s
Yesterday
What would happen if coral reefs disappeared?
Coral reefs are dying at a record speed, putting a backbone of global food chains at critical risk. More than 80 percent of coral reefs are now hit by mass bleaching. Reefs feed millions, protect coasts and shape economies. What happens when they vanish – and is the world doing e ... Show More
21m 14s
Jul 8
Netanyahu meets Trump: could a Gaza ceasefire deal emerge?
Could Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s third trip to the United States during President Donald Trump's administration mean a ceasefire in Gaza is close at hand? As Netanyahu lands in Washington, DC, for a week of discussions on topics such as Gaza and Iran, what pressu ... Show More
21m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2023
What cheap fast fashion actually costs
The apparel and footwear market of India is expected to grow rapidly. And this growth is expected to come from the rise of affordable fast fashion consumption. Clothes are cheaper than ever, and hence discarded more frequently than ever before. However, where are these clothes go ... Show More
31m 53s
Nov 2022
You Might Think Twice Before Buying Those New Jeans
Shein is one of the biggest fast-fashion brands in the world. Young women and girls film their “Shein hauls” for TikTok — showing off piles of trendy, cheap clothes they bought from the Chinese company. It’s on track this year for sales around $8 billion in the US alone. But a ne ... Show More
23m 34s
Jul 2023
The scandals of Shein's fast-fashion empire
Beyond Shein’s uber cheap clothes, the fast-fashion retailer from China has been involved in numerous scandals, including claims of human rights abuses. Even if you’ve never done a Shein haul, it’s time to get to know the massive company. Read more: A few weeks ago, a handful of ... Show More
22m 3s
Nov 2023
The Devil wears fast fashion
Most of us love a bargain, but when it comes to our wardrobe, there’s a high cost for those cheap clothes. Fast fashion has taken the world by storm, with brands having tens of thousands — if not over a million — designs available at any moment. The consumption comes at a cost: t ... Show More
41m 10s
Dec 2021
Fast fashion’s new superpower: Shein
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.comhttps://www.ft.com/content/99bcfb02-6de4-4658-9d7f-c210db884fdf The cost of flying cargo around the world has reached record levels, and workers are demanding that gig economy companies explain their algorithms. Plus, the FT’s retail cor ... Show More
10m 2s
Jun 2024
Shein: Fast Fashion, Slow IPO
The fast-fashion giant hoped to have a splashy U.S. public offering this year. WSJ's Shen Lu explains how the divide between Beijing and Washington got in the way. Further Reading: - Shein Promised to Have a Big U.S. IPO. Its China Roots Got in the Way.  - Fast-Fashion Giant Shei ... Show More
19m 25s
Nov 2022
SHEINvestigation
In this episode, the girlies investigate the fashion giant Shein and explore ideas of ethical labor, sustainability, and trend cycles. Digressions include the trauma of middle school gym class, Julia’s beef with the Cannes Film Festival winners, and Eliza’s close run-in with the ... Show More
1h 14m
Feb 2023
75: That $7 Shirt Is Making You Sick: Fast Fashion vs. the World
Hi friends, happy Thursday! Welcome to the Dark History podcast.  I feel like there is a new trend every two days. And I do not know how to keep up. And by the time I figure it out, I’m already like four trends behind. But I just don’t know how people are buying these trends so q ... Show More
49m 38s
Oct 2021
Fast Fashion | Can Fast Fashion Sustain Itself? | 6
Fast fashion has a crisis on its hands. The industry is wreaking havoc on the environment, and even the execs are starting to notice. Massive amounts of pollution and textile waste have taken a toll on the planet as these shops continue to send runway styles to mainstream markets ... Show More
26m 16s