Is Aritzia Fast Fashion? The Ultimate Detailed Breakdown
The fashion industry trends are always shifting so rapidly. With the emergence of more fast fashion companies, it has become increasingly important to evaluate the environmental and ethical implications of our clothing habits. Aritzia is a well-loved brand among people who like stylish clothing and minimalist design. However, it is really important to investigate – is Aritzia fast fashion? We also need to determine if it truly prioritizes sustainability or just aligns with the fast fashion culture. Let’s delve deeper into the details!
Aritiza Sustainability
Aritzia is a Canadian brand that creates hundreds of different pieces every season, following rapidly changing trends in fashion. As a consumer, you might enjoy the latest styles at affordable prices; however, this type of business model is often seen in fast fashion. Aritzia uses materials such as cotton, polyester, and nylon to mass to produce their clothes.
Although the brand is starting to incorporate sustainable materials into its collections, only 40% of its SS21 collection consists of sustainable materials. This means that the bulk of their fabrics were sourced from non-sustainable methods and materials, which leaves a negative environmental impact.
So is Aritzia fast fashion? In short, yes but let’s dig a little deeper.
Animal Welfare
Aritzia’s animal rating falls short as the company lacks an official animal welfare policy. They incorporate materials such as wool, leather, exotic animal hair, and down that are endorsed by the Responsible Down Standard. However, there is no proof that Aritzia tracks the origin of animal products to ensure the well-being of the animals involved. Therefore, the welfare of our animal companions cannot be assured.
Aritiza Fabrics and Materials
Cotton, polyester, and nylon are just a few of the many fabrics utilized by the brand. While Aritzia has started incorporating some sustainable materials into its collections such as organic cotton, recycled materials, or responsibly sourced fibers, these materials only make up a fraction of their total collection. However, Aritzia has made some strides by moving toward using more sustainable and responsibly sourced cotton such as Better Cotton and organic cotton. In fact, 57% of the cotton used by Aritzia in their collections consists of these materials.
Producing Waste
Aritzia often discounts their pieces, so it’s worth waiting for sale periods to pick up some bargains. While the brand has recently started incorporating some sustainable materials into its collections, they are still a predominantly fast-fashion brand.
Is Aritzia down ethically sourced?
Aritzia claims on their website that they use down that upholds the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) and is sourced from geese who receive adequate food, space, shelter, and freshwater, as well as are never force-fed or live-plucked.
Aritzia Labor Policies
The clothing brand has a Supplier Code of Conduct that lists out all the requirements for the suppliers they partner with. This includes information on freedom of association, a safe and hygienic working environment, working hours, child labor, ethical practices, and more.
The Final Verdict: Is Aritzia Fast Fashion?
Although Aritzia has positive initiatives to be more sustainable and ethical, it still falls under the category of fast fashion brands. The brand produces hundreds of different pieces to keep up with the changing trends which often end up on sale for a cheaper price point. Aritzia extensively uses unsustainable materials including cotton, polyester, and nylon. Although it has started incorporating some sustainable materials into its collections, the majority of materials are still not considered sustainable. Good on You even rated Aritzia as “Not Good Enough”, so it’s not considered an entirely sustainable fashion brand.
Ethical Clothing Brands Alternative
Aritzia definitely knows what consumers like and they frequently come out with styles that are very well-designed. However, if you want to support more sustainable clothing brands, you can consider alternatives that focus on sustainability, responsible sourcing, and fair labor practices. These brands include Patagonia, Everlane, and Stella McCartney, to name a few. It’s worth doing some research before making your next purchase to ensure that the brand aligns with your values.
Although Aritzia has made strides in promoting sustainability and social responsibility, its practices may not be completely transparent. While Aritzia may surpass certain fast fashion brands, there is room for improvement in terms of utilizing more sustainable materials for their clothing.
For more sustainable fashion guides, check out these posts!
