Beneath all the glamour and glitz the fashion industry is filled with filth. Victoria’s Secret is a brand that redefined sexiness and femineity with its racy underwear and extravagant runway shows. It painted a fantasy that lured its customers and created a huge fan base. Today Victoria’s Secret is recognized globally but beyond these fantasies lies the real world that is bearing the brunt of rapidly changing fashion. Let’s have a look at ‘Is Victoria’s Secret Ethical?’.
The fashion industry has a severely detrimental impact on its supply chain. Massive waste production, ecological disruption, and violation of human rights, this industry is creeping with unethical practices. As modern consumers, it is our right to make informed choices and choose ethical brands
Is Victoria’s Secret a fast fashion brand?
Yes, Victoria’s secret is a fast-fashion brand.
To meet with the growing trend, companies produce clothes at a faster rate than leaves severe environmental footprints. Victoria’s secret has joined this bandwagon. More production can lead to an excessive amount of waste generation.
“Fast fashion is the term used to describe clothing designs that move quickly from the catwalk to stores to take advantage of trends.”
The clothes might be cheap but the price is heavy. Reckless production disrupts the ecosystem in countless ways. A lot of resources are used in the manufacturing process, making it unsustainable. Such practices are deemed unethical for the detrimental consequences it has on the environment
Does Victoria’s Secret have sweatshops?
“Secrets, secrets, are no fun, secrets, secrets, hurt someone”
In this case, the ‘someone’ is low-wage workers employed to manufacture the high-end bras
Victoria’s Secret is owned by Limited Brands that have sweatshops in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Jordan. Sweatshops are overcrowded workplace that employs workers and subject them to harsh working conditions to meet the growing demand.
These workers are overworked and underpaid, such oppressive conditions are a direct violation of human rights and are a cause of varying concern in modern times. The use of sweatshops is considered highly unethical.
Moreover, the brand lacks transparency and accountability, it received 21-30% in the Fashion Transparency Index, with no evidence of fair wage along its supply chain.
Victoria’s dirty secret
Victoria’s secret was under severe speculation when a high level of Phthalates was found in its fabric by Greenpeace. Phthalates are compounds derived from phthalic acid that is used to increase stretchability in the fabric. The problem with phthalates is they can cause hormone imbalance and is considered highly toxic
‘Detox my fashion’ is an initiative by Greenpeace that has held the fashion companies accountable for the ecological disruption. Many brands have pledged to eliminate the use of toxic chemicals. In 2016, Victoria’s Secret pledged to phase out the chemicals in its fabric and adopt more eco-friendly methods
These chemicals are detrimental to general health and have deleterious environmental effects, they seep into waterbodies poisoning the water supply and disrupting the ecosystem. In 2016, Victoria’s Secret pledges to phase out the chemical used in the manufacture till 2020.
‘Detox my fashion’ and Victoria’s Secret
Launched in 2011, Greenpeace Germany has challenged clothing brands for their unethical practices and adopted ways to eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals throughout their supply chain.
Five years back Victoria’s Secret had pledged under its campaign to clean its supply chain till 2020, but the present-day scenario is different. The company has taken little to no initiative to adopt ethical practices
Victoria’s Secret has fallen short in its promises. Though they have reduced the number of chemicals used in their garments, they haven’t made any concrete plans to reduce the industrial waste or imply more sustainable practices in their manufacturing process.
Victoria’s Secret brand and ethics
Victoria’s Secret defines global trends and has a certain responsibility towards society.
Unfortunately, Victoria’s Secret thrived on fantasies created from a male point of view. The lavish runway shows, feathery wings, and scantily-clad models do not pave their way to the real world.
A brand that is as huge as Victoria’s Secret needs to follow a certain code of ethics. After receiving serious backlash, it went through a complete rebranding and has adopted more inclusive policies. Discontinuing its iconic runway shows and diversifying its models are a few steps taken by the brand.
Victoria’s Secret steps for ethical practices
There is a shift in consumer trends in the last decade. People look forward to sustainable options and are making much more informed choices.
- The company has come up with sustainable materials in its new clothing line.
- The company “upcycled” millions of plastic bottles and donated enough money to plant 100,000 trees.
- The company has been trying to reinvent itself, catering to the needs of the consumers rather than succumbing to delusional beauty standards.
Conclusion
There is a long road ahead of the company if it wants to sustain and secure its position in the market. Although Victoria’s Secret is adopting ethical practices, there is still scope for improvement
