Abstract
Through its rapid production methods that supply the latest catwalk styles almost instantaneously to the high street, the fast fashion model has revolutionized the fashion industry, while generating a significant carbon footprint and a host of social concerns. Yet, the law is either slow or ineffective in promoting sustainability in a world obsessed with image and social connectivity, while outdated notions of companies continue to dominate the legal academy. This chapter initially examines the fashion industry’s environmental footprint. Then, it examines the rise of the fast fashion model and law’s inadequacy to prevent the model from undermining intellectual property rights or effectively address the model’s detrimental impact on environmental and social sustainability. The chapter then challenges traditional notions of corporate personality, calling for more responsible corporate behavior and greater legal scrutiny. Finally, the chapter considers various issues to enhance ethical behavior in companies, arguing that the slow fashion movement provides an alternative paradigm to the fast fashion model, since the slow fashion movement connects suppliers and producers more closely with consumers, thereby enhancing sustainability and corporate responsibility.
Highlights
IntroductionPerhaps more than almost any other field of art and industry, fashion is inextricably woven with time, finding its essence in current, fast-moving trends and its inspiration in emerging styles
Perhaps more than almost any other field of art and industry, fashion is inextricably woven with time, finding its essence in current, fast-moving trends and its inspiration in emerging styles.With its rapid production times and ability to capture the latest, hottest trends, the fast fashion model of production, distribution, and marketing has thrived over the past decade
The chapter considers various issues to enhance ethical behavior in companies, arguing that the slow fashion movement provides an alternative paradigm to the fast fashion model, since the slow fashion movement connects suppliers and producers more closely with consumers, thereby enhancing sustainability and corporate responsibility
Summary
Perhaps more than almost any other field of art and industry, fashion is inextricably woven with time, finding its essence in current, fast-moving trends and its inspiration in emerging styles. From production advances in textile factories to 3D printing (or additive manufacturing), technological changes have revolutionized production methods, allowing manufacturers to create garments increasingly fast. This chapter examines the environmental and social impact of fast fashion and the limits of the law to respond to these challenges. Against these constraints, the chapter makes the case for supporting the emerging slow fashion movement as well as other initiatives that connect suppliers and producers more closely with consumers. The chapter analyzes corporate personality and the impact that the law plays in skewing companies away from sustainable behavior, in the fast fashion industry. The chapter argues that sourcing, production, and marketing practices that connect raw materials, designers, labor, and retailers more closely with consumers—key ingredients of the slow fashion movement—greatly enhance sustainability, protect human rights, and empower communities
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