Stitched Up
Fast fashion is responsible for an estimated 8% to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions
Exploiting vulnerable workers and fueling unsustainable consumer habits, this RTS report brings to light Italy's often overlooked fast fashion hubs.
Italy, the second largest clothing exporter after China, relies heavily on illegal workshops employing migrants and refugees for as little as 2 or 3 euros an hour; “I didn’t have any other option", explains one anonymous worker. Researcher Audrey Millet highlights, “90% are illegal workshops" where corrupt practices cheat workers out of fair wages for the sake of trendy pieces. Meanwhile consumers, lured by cheap synthetic fibres, fuel demand for garments ending up in landfills after minimal wear. This problem is not exclusive to low-end stores; as thrift store buyer Mahi Durel explains, “many expensive products are not good quality.”
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