French NGOs Taking on Shein, Fast Fashion Retailers

Shein’s expansion into Paris landmarks like BHV Marais and Galeries Lafayette has reignited France’s debate over fast fashion.

Six major NGOs from the “Stop Fast-Fashion Coalition” are urging lawmakers to enforce stricter, more inclusive regulations, claiming that France’s latest “Fast Fashion Law” unfairly shields Western brands such as Zara and Primark.

They argue that nearly all clothing in France is imported from countries with poor labor and environmental conditions, and that both European and Chinese fast-fashion giants exploit similar supply chains.

The NGOs also highlight that the fast-fashion model has wiped out over 300,000 French textile jobs and eroded local retail diversity.