Khloé Kardashian slammed for “unethical”partnership working with Shein
Khloé Kardashian has faced substantial backlash for her recent collaboration with the fast fashion behemoth Shein, a company frequently embroiled in controversies surrounding ethical practices. The 37-year-old reality star and entrepreneur announced her role as a judge for Shein's new design competition, the SHEIN X 100K Challenge, via her Instagram account.
This competition promises emerging designers a lucrative prize of $100,000 and an opportunity to showcase their work in Shein’s Fall/Winter 2021 virtual fashion show. Khloé Kardashian will be joined by a panel of celebrated judges, including stylist Law Roach, designer Christian Siriano, former J.Crew executive Jenna Lyons, and InStyle Director Laurel Pantin.
@grrlbossbabe They didn’t even act like stealing designs is a bad thing 🥲😭 khloe just smiling the whole time 😀 #sheinx100kchallenge #khloekardashian #lawroach ♬ Astro Beat - Staysee
Many of Kardashian’s followers and industry critics have not received the announcement. Followers were quick to voice their displeasure on social media, citing Shein’s notorious record for unethical business practices. Comments on Kardashian's post ranged from concerns about Shein’s alleged theft of designs from small, independent designers to the company’s significant environmental impact due to its rapid production turnaround.
“Shein is one of the most unethical fast fashion brands,” one critic pointed out, emphasizing the persistent allegations against the company. Another follower noted, “Fast fashion is bad for the environment — not cute,” underscoring the broader ecological consequences of Shein’s business model.
Shein has been continually criticized for a lack of transparency in its supply chain, making it difficult to ensure that their operations comply with ethical standards. Additionally, wages for factory workers, reported to be between 6,000 and 10,000 Chinese yuan per month (approximately $831 to $1,385), raise questions about fair pay and working conditions. Allegations against Shein also include labor violations, intellectual property theft, and unsustainable practices, which collectively tarnish the brand’s reputation.
In response to the criticism, a Shein spokesperson defended the company's actions, highlighting the SHEIN X incubation program. This initiative, they explained, was developed to support small, independent talents by offering them exposure and the potential to expand their revenue streams to a global Gen Z audience. They maintained that the brand has policies in place to respect intellectual property rights and rectify any issues expediently.
Despite Shein’s attempt to mitigate the backlash by stressing the positive aspects of the SHEIN X 100K Challenge, Kardashian and the other judges, including Roach and Siriano, faced significant online criticism. Many commentators expressed disappointment in their decision to partner with the brand. “Happy for you for the partnership, but it had to Shein?!?!?! They’re ripping off so many indie designers, not to talk about the impact on nature and who knows the conditions of the workers…,” one fan of Roach remarked.
The broader discourse surrounding this collaboration reflects ongoing concerns about the ethics of fast fashion brands and influences consumer choices in an increasingly conscious market. Amidst this criticism, Kardashian has not yet issued a statement responding to the backlash.
