Activists encourage fast fashion boycott
Retailer H&M is the newest tenant at Christchurch’s Westfield Riccarton mall, but not everyone is happy.
Climate change activist Amelia Dewhurst and environmentalist Mia Sutherland responded by calling on people to boycott and build awareness of fast fashion.
The model cycles through trends quickly in order to maximise profit and minimise cost. An H&M spokesperson said the company was excited to offer a second shop for Christchurch customers.
‘‘The response to our first store has been fantastic, and we are now able to meet the demand for a suburban location with a new family-focused store at Westfield Riccarton,’’ the spokesperson said. The new store is will open on Thursday.
Dewhurst said companies like H&M were clever in making it sound like they contribute to a better environment, without doing anything.
‘‘They’re marketing it towards young people and young people actually really care about the environment. It’s in any brands interest to capitalise on that value which I understand,’’ she said.
‘‘They promote products that promote friendly environment but the products themselves and the process is not. It’s not a case of buying stuff from a certain place makes you green.’’
She said people could take practical steps themselves to improving the environment.
‘‘Things people can really do is recycle clothes and fix them. I know everyone doesn’t have the time and means for these things, but if the button falls off your shirt, how hard is it really to stitch back?’’