Background photo of Forever 21 store with signs reading “20% OFF” “FIXTURES, FURNITURE, AND EQUIPMENT FOR SALE” Photo credit in top right corner reads “Photo: Raysonho/Wikimedia Commons”. Text reads “Once a global fast fashion giant with over 800 stores, now filing for bankruptcy in the US. What does the end of Forever 21 tell us about sustainability in fashion?” Arrow icon in bottom right corner.
Cream-colored background. Text reads “1. Climate action matters to customers (or at least a lot of them) OK, it's not all good news. Forever 21 execs essentially said that they lost their customers to Shein and Temu, not to more sustainable stores. But isn't it interesting that the fast fashion brands that HAVE started to do more to clean up their act, like H&M, UNIQLO, even Zara, haven't been steamrolled by Shein?” Temu and Shein logos to the right of text. Arrow icon in bottom right corner.
Cream-colored background. Text reads “2. Quality matters, and quality is
sustainable. If Forever 21 lost out to online stores, it's because when people buy in person they can tell when what they're buying is going to last, and going to keep looking good. This should be a wake up call for brands to give shoppers that positive retail experience that they want: garments that feel good and last, and can be repaired and reshared.” Arrow icon in bottom right corner.
Cream-colored background. Text reads “3. Faster isn'+ always better.
Forever 21 famously grew its stores at warp speed, massively overextending.
But failed to notice when the world was looking to slow down. Second hand and vintage shopping is becoming increasingly popular in the US, and thrift shoppers know a miss when they see one and avoid ultra-fast fashion pieces like the plague.” Arrow icon in bottom right corner.
Fast fashion staple Forever 21 just filed for bankruptcy in the US for the second time in 5 years, and is set to close hundred of stores.
Is this a win for sustainable fashion, or just a sign of the times?
Here are our thoughts, what are yours?