Thibaud Hue, edited by Loane Nader / Photo credit: Richard A. Brooks / AFP 07:42, May 05, 2023

On Thursday, controversial fast fashion giant Shein opened a pop-up store where shoppers can snatch ever cheaper items. The Chinese brand owes its bad reputation to a production that pays little attention to the environmental and working conditions of its employees.

Customers flocked to this small shop in the Marais district of Paris on Thursday. Fashionable and cheap clothing brand Shein celebrated the opening of its pop-up store by inviting many influencers to promote the event. If this symbol of fast fashion drags behind him pots, including scandals on the deplorable working conditions of his employees, customers were delighted at the sight of hangers with dresses and trousers at less than ten euros.

Broken prices to push consumption, which is not a problem for Manon, an influencer invited to promote the brand on her social networks. "I don't think it's a drama. But for me, it's all fast fashion brands that are like that. So from that moment on, when you go to Zara or everywhere, you have to be aware of that as well."

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Forced labour of Uyghurs in China

Another invited by the organizers of the event concedes, Shein's carbon footprint is gigantic, but business remains business. "I am aware of fast fashion which is ultra negative on the brand. But suddenly, since they are my customers, I will not spit on it either, "defends Alissa, influencer with 37,000 subscribers. "Sometimes the values, we are forced to put them aside in relation to the budget, finance, a rent of 800 bales for 16 m² in Paris, it's complicated."

And if the brand is accused of using Uyghur forced labor camps in China, the brand's representatives prefer to avoid the question. "Do forced labor camps still exist today? No, I don't think so." The same goes for the sign, which affirms the presence of a rumor through another employee of the shop. In the meantime, Shein's pop-up store will welcome several thousand customers during these four days of opening.