Recently Shein, a popular fast-fashion retailer, received backlash after selling multiple items appropriating culture and religion.
Following requests for modest clothes to be on the site, Shein appropriated South Asian traditional wear, renaming it 'Longline Top & Pants Set', and refused to use South Asian women to model it. They erased anything that could relate it to South Asians and completely whitewashed outfits that hold historic value to South Asians.
Just a couple days later, Shein attempted to sell Islamic Prayer mats as 'Fringe Trim Carpets'. These items are incredibly offensive, as most of these carpets feature prints of Kaaba, the most sacred site in Islam.
Shein apologised for the disrespectful items, saying they have now formed a 'product review committee featuring employees from different cultures and religions.'
Three days later, however, Shein issued another apology for another of its product listings. The site removed an item labelled 'swastika pendant necklace' after being slammed for promoting anti-Semitism.
Shein's eagerness to profit off culture/ religion is problematic and exposes the flaws in its management. Despite claiming they formed a 'product review committee' offensive and disrespectful items are still allowed to be on its website, raising questions about the effectiveness of its 'solutions'.
Written by Aimy Alice
Artwork by Isabel
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