When Does ‘Content’ Become A Human Rights Violation? 

If you saw someone wear this shirt with cowboy boots on it, you’d probably want to buy it. I know I did. 

But this is bigger than the cute boot shirt, this is about the conditions in which the cute boot shirt was made, and the lengths that the company behind it is going to, to cover it up. 

By now you’ll have seen on your feeds that controversial fast-fashion retailer Shein invited a small group of influencers on an all-expenses paid trip to some of the company’s warehouses.  

The creators appeared in talking-head style videos on Shein’s owned channels as well as shooting and posting vlogs on their own accounts.

 

The video has amassed over 113 million views on TikTok, with thousands of hot takes, outraged reactions and desperate calls to boycott the brand pouring over our feeds.

One of the influencers, who goes by @danidmc on Instagram, said in a now-deleted vlog of the Shein factory, “I think my biggest takeaway from this trip is to be an independent thinker, get the facts, and see it with your own two eyes.” 

“There’s a narrative fed to us in the US, and I’m one that always likes to be open-minded and seek the truth, so I’m grateful for that about myself, and I hope the same for you.” 

It’s been more than a year since images began circulating of super disturbing messages and pleas for help printed on clothing tags and etched onto the inside of shipping boxes coming out of the Shein warehouse.  

Several investigations have been conducted into the conditions of their production warehouses and the treatment of their workers.  The UK’s Channel 4 created Inside the Shein Machine, a documentary that took cameras into the factories, and found that employees were working 75 hour shifts. In one factory, it was found that workers made a base salary of $20 a day, and were penalised $14 if they had made any mistakes.  

“There is video evidence of laws being broken. They aren’t rumours. It is very sad that you have decided to let yourself be used to defend these practices,” commented Inside the Shein Machine host Iman Amrani. 

Bloomberg reported that Shein made $100 billion in online sales in 2022.  The profits of this business are allegedly not contributing to production cost, fair wages or working environment — so where are they going? Into the pockets of people who already have money, and are perpetuating the mistreatment of labour workers?  

So where do we go from here? While responsibility can’t fall solely on the shoulders of consumers, we have a part to play in this. Opting for thrifted pieces can keep a lot of things out of landfill, and initiating clothing swaps with your friends, or your wider community can give you a wardrobe overhaul without contributing to the revolving door of fast fashion.  

As for influencers, and people with platforms, the volume of negative onslaught that this one brand trip has triggered is an incredibly good indicator that with great privilege comes great responsibility. Use the partnership opportunities and face time that you get with brands, to influence. Those companies need you more than you need them — and us regular folk, we just want to make sure you’re playing for the right team. 

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Written by Talecia Vescio, your local Aquarius  Junkee Producer & Presenter. Find her on Instagram as @taleciavescio if you want to be friends.