Why Fast Fashion’s Hidden Costs Matter

With Earth Day just around the corner on April 22nd, there’s no better time to reflect on our consumption habits and the hidden costs of fast fashion. As trends come and go at lightning speed, the true price of low-cost clothing is often hidden in the environmental degradation and social injustices it fuels. The industry not only drains our water resources and pumps out significant carbon emissions, but also exploits labour in unsafe conditions around the globe.

This Earth Day, we invite you to explore a curated list of films and documentaries that reveal the stark realities behind our wardrobes. At ADJOAA, we champion sustainable fashion and ethical consumption by connecting you with brands and practices that make a difference. Join us in embracing a more sustainable future, one informed purchase at a time. 

(Photo Courtesy of Alexander Coggin for The New York Times)

The Environmental & Social Impact of Fast Fashion 

Fast fashion may offer affordability and rapid trend turnover, but these benefits come at a steep cost to our planet and its people. The industry is one of the largest consumers of water and a major contributor to carbon emissions, textile waste, and exploitative labour practices.

How Fast Fashion Contributes to Water Pollution

According to Earth.org, the fashion industry is the second-biggest consumer of water globally, a staggering fact that underscores the un-sustainability of our current consumption patterns. It takes approximately 700 gallons of water to produce just one cotton shirt. This massive water consumption, coupled with the extensive use of chemicals in textile dyeing processes, leads to significant water pollution. Wastewater from dyeing operations is often discharged untreated, contaminating rivers and local water sources, and further exacerbating environmental degradation.

The Carbon Footprint of Fast Fashion

In addition to water issues, the industry is responsible for around 10% of global carbon emissions—a staggering figure that rivals the emissions from international flights and maritime shipping combined. This high carbon footprint is driven by energy-intensive production processes and the long, complex supply chains typical of the industry.

The Microplastic Crisis in Fashion

Another critical environmental concern is the prevalence of microplastic pollution. Many fast fashion garments are made from synthetic fibres such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic. These materials do not biodegrade easily; instead, they break down into microplastics with every wash. These tiny plastic particles eventually find their way into our oceans, contributing significantly to the global micro-plastic crisis.

The Growth of Fast Fashion and its Global Market Impact

The fast fashion industry's rapid growth is underscored by its market value, which is forecasted to rise from $106.42 billion in 2022 to $184.96 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 10.7%. This booming market, dominated by brands like Zara, H&M, Uniqlo, Gap, and Forever 21, continues to innovate with technologies such as augmented and virtual reality to enhance consumer experiences. However, this expansion is closely linked to escalating environmental costs, highlighting the industry's impact on both the economy and the environment.

(Data taken from Statista - Fast fashion market value forecast worldwide from 2021 to 2027) 

(Photo Courtesy of Earth.Org)

Social Impact

The human cost of fast fashion is just as alarming as its environmental toll. A poignant example is the collapse of a Dhaka garment factory, an event that tragically highlighted the industry's unsafe working conditions and exploitative labour practices. Such disasters are a stark reminder that rapid, unsustainable production is not only harmful to the environment but also endangers the lives of the workers who are the backbone of this global industry.

Documentaries like "Made in Bangladesh" and "The Machinists" offer deep insights into the exploitative labour practices that pervade fast fashion. These films reveal a grim reality where workers, including many young women and children, often endure unsafe conditions and meagre wages. The relentless pursuit of low production costs has led to widespread labour abuses, perpetuating cycles of poverty and exploitation. On a more positive note, according to Coherent Market Insights, the global sustainable fashion market is experiencing significant growth, with North America projected to represent over 35.6% of the market share in 2023, fuelled by increasing consumer awareness and stronger sustainability regulations.

These environmental and social challenges are deeply intertwined with fast fashion's explosive market growth. The industry's rapid expansion, driven by an ever-increasing demand among a youthful global consumer base, has created a cycle of unsustainable production and consumption. As the market continues to evolve and expand, encompassing a diverse range of products for women, men, and children, the urgency of addressing these impacts becomes even more critical.

 10 Must-Watch Documentaries About Fast Fashion’s Dark Side

If you’ve ever wondered what truly happens behind the scenes of the fashion industry, these documentaries offer a raw and unfiltered look into the hidden costs of our clothing. From the human stories of garment workers fighting for fair wages to the environmental devastation caused by fast fashion, these films expose the harsh realities of an industry built on speed, waste, and exploitation.

This Earth Day, take a step toward conscious consumption by diving into these 11 must-watch films that will forever change how you see fashion.

1. Fashionscapes | 2018, 5-Part Documentary Series

Directed by Andrew Morgan, Produced by Emily Morgan

If you're looking for a hopeful perspective on how fashion can evolve for the better, this series is an inspiring must-see. A sweeping, global documentary series that follows Livia Firth as she embarks on a journey to uncover sustainable fashion solutions. From textile workers in developing nations to innovative brands redefining ethical production, Fashion-scapes takes viewers deep into the heart of the supply chain, proving that fashion can be beautiful without exploiting people or the planet. This series provides an optimistic yet realistic look at how the fashion industry can transform for the better.

(Photo Courtesy of IMDb)

2. Made in Bangladesh | 2019, 95 min

Directed by Rubaiyat Hossain

In Dhaka, Bangladesh, one woman dares to challenge the system. When garment worker Shimu attempts to unionise her factory, she is met with fierce resistance. This gripping dramatisation reveals the brutal conditions faced by millions in the fast-fashion industry. It highlights the struggles of workers fighting for their rights and exposes the corporate structures that profit from their exploitation.

(Photo Courtesy of kanopy)

3. The Clothes We Wear | 28 min

Produced by DW Documentary

Fast fashion thrives on overconsumption, but what happens to the billions of garments produced each year? The Clothes We Wear examines how the clothes we buy contribute to environmental destruction and labour exploitation. It also investigates the misleading marketing tactics of major brands that claim to be “sustainable,” exposing the dangers of greenwashing and the real impact of unchecked consumerism.

(Photo Courtesy of DW Documentary, YouTube)

4. ‘Made In’ Series | 8-Part Series

Produced by Remake

This award-winning documentary series takes viewers inside garment factories worldwide, uncovering the grim realities faced by workers producing clothes for major brands. By highlighting the voices of garment workers, the Made In series sheds light on the hidden human labour behind the fashion industry’s rapid production cycles and the need for greater transparency.

(Photo Courtesy of Remake World)

5. ‘Udita’ (Arise) | 2015, 75 min

Produced by Filmmakers Rainbow Collective

Over five years, Udita follows the lives of Bangladeshi garment workers as they rise against oppression. This documentary captures the resilience of women fighting for basic rights in an industry that often treats them as disposable. Through their voices and activism, the film paints a powerful picture of courage in the face of systemic injustice.

(Photo Courtesy of Rainbow Collective, YouTube) 

6. Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy

Investigative Documentary on Netflix

Buy Now uncovers the hidden strategies brands use to keep consumers in an endless cycle of buying. Through eye-opening research and expert interviews, this documentary explores how fast fashion manipulates buyers into overconsumption. By exposing the marketing tricks and psychological tactics used by corporations, it encourages viewers to rethink their shopping habits.

(Photo Courtesy of IMDb)

7. The True Cost | 2015

Directed by Andrew Morgan

This groundbreaking documentary takes viewers from fashion runways to sweatshops, revealing the stark contrast between luxury fashion and the exploited labour behind it. With insights from designers like Stella McCartney and activists like Livia Firth, The True Cost explores how our obsession with cheap clothing fuels environmental destruction and humanitarian crises. This film has been credited with sparking a global movement toward more ethical fashion.

(Photo Courtesy of The True Cost)

8. Inside the Shein Machine | 2022

Investigative Documentary Produced by Zandland

This groundbreaking documentary takes viewers from fashion runways to sweatshops, revealing the stark contrast between luxury fashion and the exploited labour behind it. With insights from designers like Stella McCartney and activists like Livia Firth, The True Cost explores how our obsession with cheap clothing fuels environmental destruction and humanitarian crises. This film has been credited with sparking a global movement toward more ethical fashion

(Photo Courtesy of IMDb)

9. Brandy Hellville and the Cult of Fast Fashion | 2024

Investigative Documentary Directed by Eva Orner

Teen favourite Brandy Melville is more than just a trendy brand—it’s a symbol of exclusivity, body shaming, and unethical practices within the fast fashion industry. This documentary examines the brand’s toxic culture and the larger issues of exploitation and social manipulation embedded in the fashion industry. It raises critical questions about how brands shape consumer behaviour, particularly among young shoppers.

(Photo Courtesy of IMDb)

10. The Machinists (2010)

British Documentary Directed by Richard York and Hannan Majid

This documentary follows the daily lives of workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh, as they produce clothing for high-street brands like Primark, H&M, and Zara. Through personal stories, The Machinists highlights the harsh conditions, low wages, and long hours endured by garment workers, exposing the real cost behind cheap, mass-produced clothing.

(Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia)

How to Be a Conscious & Responsible Fashion Consumer

The impact of fast fashion is undeniable, but as consumers, we have the power to drive change. By making more informed decisions, supporting ethical brands, and advocating for sustainability, we can help reshape the fashion industry into one that values people and the planet over profit.

Educate Yourself

Knowledge is the first step toward responsible consumption. The films and documentaries highlighted in this article offer a deeper understanding of fast fashion’s environmental and social costs, exposing the hidden realities behind the clothes we wear. By staying informed, questioning marketing claims, and recognising greenwashing tactics, we can make conscious choices that align with our values.

Support Ethical Brands

Fast fashion thrives on consumer demand, but so does sustainable fashion. At ADJOAA, we support independent African designers who focus on ethical production, sustainable fashion, and fair wages. By choosing to support companies like ours that uphold transparency and eco-friendly practices, you are investing in a fashion industry that empowers communities and protects the environment. Small, mindful choices can collectively drive a shift toward a more responsible and sustainable future.

Practice Responsible Consumption

The most sustainable fashion choice is often the one you already own. Instead of constantly chasing new trends, consider buying less and choosing quality over quantity. To extend the lifecycle of garments, opt for secondhand shopping, clothing swaps, or rental services. When purchasing new items, look for sustainably produced fabrics and brands that prioritise ethical manufacturing. Small shifts in shopping habits can significantly reduce waste and carbon footprints over time.

Engage and Advocate

Sustainability is not just about personal choices—it’s about collective action. Engage in conversations about responsible fashion, share documentaries with friends and family, and advocate for policy changes that hold brands accountable. Whether it’s through signing petitions, supporting fair labour initiatives, or simply spreading awareness, every effort contributes to a larger movement toward a more ethical fashion industry.

Be Part of the Change

The environmental and social costs of fast fashion can no longer be ignored. But through education and conscious decision-making, we can transform how fashion is produced and consumed. These films provide a powerful lens into the hidden truths of the industry, inspiring us to be more intentional in our choices.

At ADJOAA, we believe fashion should celebrate creativity without compromising people or the planet. By supporting ethical fashion brands and choosing sustainability over disposability, we have become part of a growing movement that prioritises human rights and environmental protection.

The future of fashion is in our hands—let’s make it one that values people, the planet, and true creativity over disposability. Will you take the first step?

About The Author: Crystal Tan is a marketing and communication intern at ADJOAA, pursuing a bachelor’s in Global Management at Thunderbird School of Global Management, ASU.