BY GABRIELLA HOLLO

Fifteen billion dollar fast-fashion company Shein has been exposed by Reuters for misleading customers about complying with international labour standards.

Shein’s website stated its factories were “certified” by the International Labour Organisation, and adhered with fair labour standards set by international organisations, such as SA8000.

Both the International Labour Organisation and Social Accountability International told international news organisation Reuters this statement was false.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) told Reuters that Shein is yet to submit an annual modern slavery statement, which is mandatory for companies operating in Australia with revenue of over $100 million per year.

This comes after numerous small businesses have taken to Instagram to call out the online retailer for allegedly copying their designs .

Gold-Coast based lifestyle brand Salte took to Instagram to allege that they were ripped off by Shein earlier this year, with almost identical Salte flared pants and skirts appearing on the Shein website.

Salte founder Sharna Hupfeld said small businesses are constantly getting ripped off, and it is more common than people think.

“The worst part is that consumers don’t know that the items they’re purchasing have been stolen from small businesses like my own,” Ms Hupfeld said.

“I bit my tongue for a while knowing it was happening to my business, however I have just shared the situation with my followers and the response has been educational and supportive from all my community,” she said.

Ms Hupfeld uploaded comparison photos of her products and Shein’s copied products on the business Instagram, receiving hundreds of comments and shares in response.

“When you shop small you are supporting a family or small team, your purchase is more than a transaction,” Ms Hupfeld said.

“You create a meaningful difference in the lives of someone whose name you actually know,” she said.

Founder, designer and owner of swimwear brand Cleonie Kitty Scott said her designs appeared on the Shein website at a price of 92 per cent less than Cleonie.

Small businesses such as Cleonie, who use an ethical and sustainable approach to fashion, cannot financially compete with fast fashion giants like Shein.

“We have always had a focus on ethical practice and sustainable standards, and value fair working conditions for workers,” Ms Scott said.

“If Shein wants to copy, that’s on them. We stay in our lane and keep our head down, ensuring we’re doing the right thing,” she said.

Co-owner of small jewellery business Ivey Court Steph Hunt said Shein’s operations are not environmentally sustainable.

“As a small business, Ivey Court ensures that each piece is handmade maximising recycled and regenerated materials from product to packaging,” Ms Hunt said.

“Big companies like Shein don’t operate like this unfortunately, and it’s just not feasible for the environment, unfair on businesses doing the right thing, and not right for their workers,” she said.

Online shopper Chloe Grimley said the recent Shein exposure has encouraged her to shop more consciously.

“After realising how bad Shein’s been conducting business, it has encouraged me to be more aware of where I’m buying pieces and what I’m doing with my clothes,” Ms Grimley said.

“I love using Depop to buy and sell my clothes, as it’s a lot more ethical and environmentally friendly,” she said.

Shopper Emma Sanders has been encouraged to create a capsule wardrobe, a concept aimed at reducing fast-fashion.

“My goal is to build a capsule wardrobe, which involves about 30-40 pieces of clothing that are all able to be mixed and matched into timeless pieces,” Ms Sanders said.

“In the past year I’ve made more of an effort to buy more sustainable clothing, as I’ve become increasingly aware of the environmental and ethical concerns associated with fast fashion.

“To me this looks like buying better quality pieces and less of them, avoiding shops that contribute to fast fashion such as Cotton On or Shein, and also shopping at op shops or vintage shops,” she said.

Shein has since removed any statements referring to international labour standards with their company’s new social responsibility page not mentioning either ISO or SA8000.