Running a fashion business is a busy hustle. When you’re designing, creating, making, marketing, and wearing all the hats, it's hard to find time to stay on top of industry news too. Trends can be a challenge, especially if you're running a slow fashion business. You don’t have to follow them, but it's helpful to be aware of them—so you can stay ahead of your competitors.
To save you time, I pull together the latest news from the top ten most trusted fashion news publications, and write about the top story of the week. I've done the hard work for you. No more searching, no more fact-checking, no more trawling—just everything you need to stay in the loop and keep your business moving forward, right here with The TFA Weekly...
Monday, November 11, 2024.
It’s laughable, but it’s happening: Shein and Temu are suing each other over copyright infringement, while both of these ultra-fast fashion giants continue to rip off independent brands around the world.
It's a legal first for fast fashion, but Shein and Temu are gearing up for a UK trial in 2026 at London’s High Court, facing allegations from each other over copyright infringement and anti-competitive practices.
Shein, a Chinese-founded ultra-fast fashion platform known for its super-cheap apparel, has accused Temu of copyright infringement, while Temu is countersuing, alleging that Shein has violated British competition laws by enforcing exclusive agreements with suppliers.
It's an ongoing battle of egos between two of the world's largest companies vying for the biggest piece of the fast fashion pie. But the problem isn’t who will win. The problem is that it's hypocritical.
Every day, I see a new post on social media from a small, independent brand pouring their heart out about Shein or Temu ripping off their original work and reselling it for a fraction of the cost.
Australian artists and designers Kelsie Cosmic, Unlucky Apparel, Tribe Tropical, Moon Chain, Baiia and most recently Hello Little Friday have all been ripped off by Shein or Temu, but to sue for it? No independent brand has the resources, time, or money to pursue a legal battle with a company like Shein or Temu—who would win regardless—so nothing changes and another brand will be ripped off next week.
I've seen dozens of posts from ethical and sustainable brands begging their followers to like and share the news when it happens, in a desperate attempt to draw customers away from Shein and Temu and back to independents. But is the begging working?
Shein is set to make more than $1 billion in revenue from Australian shoppers this year, and Temu is now the most downloaded free app on Apple’s Australian App Store (AFR). And while I’m a glass-half-full kinda gal, these numbers aren’t promising.
So, where does that leave us as consumers?
Every time we choose to buy from Shein or Temu, we’re casting a vote that keeps these giants in power while independent brands lose out. Our shopping choices matter—and we have the power to support designers who prioritise originality, quality, and fair practices.
Next time you’re tempted by a quick, cheap purchase, consider exploring small brands that pour themselves into every piece.
If you want to support independent creators, start by sharing this post, spreading awareness, or simply opting for ethical alternatives. Together, we can create a shift toward a fairer fashion industry.
If you're running a slow fashion business, this news can be turned into a growth strategy. The most powerful thing you can do is to build a strong 'brand'—a visually recognisable point of difference that customers look for, so that if this happens to you, you have a community of advocates behind you. Don't let news like this scare you, use it to fuel you.
New to the TFA Weekly? Here's the scoop: I want to make running an ethical, sustainable, handmade, or circular fashion business as easy as possible for you, so you can increase your sales and expand your impact. If we’re going to succeed as a slow fashion community, we have to stay informed and connected—together.
I want to give you the tools and support I wish I had when I was starting out, so you can skip the years of struggle I went through and fast-track your slow fashion business success. The world needs more sustainable businesses to succeed if we’re ever going to tip the scales against fast fashion. I want to help you spend less time on admin and more time doing what you love—bringing your designs to life, making an impact, and changing the world with your fashion business.
So, every week, I release The TFA Weekly, a roundup of the latest industry news, trends, innovations, and all things fashion technology, all in one place—so you don’t have to spend hours online, reading when you could be making, to make sure you're not missing anything important.
Tune in next week for your weekly instalment of The TFA Weekly. You can also reach out if you need more than news to grow your eco fashion brand. I have over a decade of industry experience running and building sustainable fashion businesses, and I've worked with hundreds of brands to increase their sales and increase their impact.
Contact me here for mentoring, coaching or help with my online courses to grow your fashion business.
Claire x
