SHEIN’s recent presence at Queen’s University campus came as quite the surprise to students, and not a
pleasant one.
On Sept. 7, the neon pink and green shuttle sporting a graffitied SHEIN logo was parked on University Ave., as part of the Arts and Science Undergraduate Society (ASUS) Sidewalk Sale. SHEIN is a widely known fast-fashion brand, famous for offering thousands of styles at extremely low prices, but perhaps more infamous for its exploitative and unsustainable business model.
The brand began gaining global popularity in 2020, when influencers took their #SHEINhaul videos to social media. However, it wasn’t long before online discourses shifted to exposing the company’s darker side of dangerous working conditions and wasteful production practices. Starting as an exclusively online retailer, this fast fashion empire has since expanded into physical retail stores all over the world, including its recent pop-up store in Montreal. Despite these expansions, one thing should be clear: it has no place on Queen’s campus.
The brand itself did nothing wrong by showing up, rather, its presence speaks to far greater implications about ethics and responsibility that conflict with the schools’ interests. For services, clubs, or businesses to attend the Sidewalk Sale, they must first be approved by ASUS. Those who plan to distribute paper products are also required to pay a sustainability fee of $35.
ASUS prides itself, and Queen’s, on being committed to fighting the ongoing climate crisis. In recognizing the institution’s role in environmental impact, they deliver a strong mission statement and responsibility to promote environmentally conscious lifestyles and consumption habits to its students.
This makes SHEIN’s inclusion even more baffling. ASUS prides itself on promoting environmentally responsible behaviours and upholds sustainability as a core value. Yet, by allowing SHEIN—one of the most notorious fast-fashion giants—to participate in an event that charges vendors a sustainability fee, it creates a contradiction that undermines the very ethos ASUS claims to stand for.
The environmental impact of fast-fashion is a tricky issue, especially for students who often operate on tight budgets. The reality is people already knew of or bought from SHEIN before it showed up on campus. It’s hard to blame them when options for trendy, affordable clothing in Kingston are scarce.
Thrift stores and sustainable clothing brands offer a hand in curbing the effect of mass consumerism, but when students prioritize convenience, cost, and selection, these stores simply can’t compete with brands like SHEIN. Even if they can afford the sustainable option, they might find better ways to spend their money.
Queen’s needs to be a better model for sustainability if it wants students to follow.
If Queen’s or ASUS truly want to demonstrate their environmental commitment, they should invest in the countless sustainability initiatives that already exist, not invite brands that contribute to the problem.
The SHEIN truck may have only been on campus for a few hours, but brands like it will perpetuate harmful environmental impacts that’ll last a lifetime. It’s about time Queen’s learns the importance of who it chooses to associate with.
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