Episode 204: The SHEIN-sodes, part 1: IPO WTF, Empty Airplanes, & Duty Free

SHEIN has–and is– changing what it means to buy and sell clothing on planet Earth. And it’s not a change for the better. It’s a change we should all care about, no matter where WE buy our clothing. Because SHEIN and what it means for the future of making and selling just about any category of stuff WILL impact every one of us: no matter what we wear, where we live, the kind of job we have, or how much money we have.

The SHEIN-ification is such a big deal, so impactful for every one of us, that this episode is part 1 in a short series about SHEIN: where it’s been, where it’s going, and how it is changing everything.

In this part of the series, we will be tackling:

• SHEIN’s impending IPO. And WTF is an IPO?
• How SHEIN grew and grew and grew (blame 2020 and sweatpants).
• What in the heck is the de minimis loophole and how is this benefiting SHEIN?
• And, are there really empty airplanes flying back to China every day so they can be loaded back up with SHEIN and Temu parcels?

Also, an update on the Fashion Act and how/why we are still in the early stages of the fight to end fast fashion!

Thanks to this episode's sponsor, Made by MLE, @madebymle on Instagram. Use code CLOTHESHORSE to receive 10% off your first order!

Additional reading (lots of sources this week):

Maxine's statement about the Fashion Act
What is an IPO?
"NEW REPORT FINDS SHEIN EMITS MORE POLLUTION THAN THE COUNTRY OF PARAGUAY," Janelle Sessoms, Fashionista.
"What’s ‘Really Scary’ About Shein’s Breakneck Growth," Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal.
"NRF rejects Shein membership as retailer pursues U.S. IPO," Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC. Financial Times.
"Fast fashion retailer Shein hikes prices ahead of IPO," Helen Reid, Reuters.
"Synthetics Anonymous 2.0: Fashion’s persistent plastic problem," Changing Markets Foundation.
"You’re Buying So Much From Temu And Shein The Air Cargo Industry Can’t Keep Up," Cyrus Farivar, Forbes.
"The Time Has Come to Address the De Minimis Loophole," Timothy Lyons, Vermont Law Review.
"Labor unions, domestic manufacturing groups launch coalition to reform de minimis import loophole," Chelsea Cox, CNBC.

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