Why does Shein draw such contrasting feelings? A look at France • FRANCE 24 English

Why does Shein draw such contrasting feelings? A look at France • FRANCE 24 English

Protesters with shame on Shien placards gathered outside the BHV department store as the online fast fashion brand landed in Paris with its first ever physical outlet. I’m outraged that a company that destroys human rights to this extent on its production chains that destroys countries like Ghana which gets discarded clothes and we’re welcoming them at the holy grail of Paris shopping. It’s unacceptable. Riot police were also standing by for the store’s 1pm opening after uproar over the sale of childlike sex dolls on Shien’s website. The police behind us are basically protecting a store that has entered into a partnership with people that are participating in child pornography. And it’s them that they’re protecting and not children. It’s a joke. France has opened a judicial investigation and initiated proceedings to suspend the Shien website. But it wasn’t long before an hours long queue of bargain hunters had formed in front of BHV. I’m so happy they’ve opened this shop. We’re going to find lots of things. Sure, they’re having a protest against their doll or whatever. I don’t care. I’m for people tell you to buy French, but sorry, right now we can’t afford to buy French-made clothes. It costs too much. I spend around €100 per week on Sheen’s website. Music to the ears of BHV, which has been going through financial struggles. Owners are hoping to tap into Shien’s roughly 27 million monthly online French customers, even as some other brands have chosen to leave BHV in protest. Every day we’re told that physical stores are dying, that thousands of jobs are at stake, that the French textile industry is dying, and these same critics are not offering us solutions. Criticizing is all well and good, but moving forward is better. The UN has warned that the textile industry is responsible for nearly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and consumes 1.5 trillion L of water annually.

Shein opened its first-ever permanent shop on November 5 at the prestigious BHV department store in Paris, drawing protesters and bargain hunters amid controversy over the Chinese online fast-fashion retailer’s low-cost business model and its impact on the French high street and manufacturers.
#Shein #SheinParis #SheinFashion

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