At a time when Paris is focusing on responsible fashion and supporting the social and solidarity economy, the BHV Marais, an emblematic historic monument in the city center, has chosen to welcome Shein, the global symbol ofultra-fast fashion. This decision has provoked an unprecedented public outcry.
Arielle Levy, founder of the collective Une Autre Mode Est Possible, has launched a petition against the project. Posted online immediately after the announcement, it has already collected almost 80,000 signatures. In her view, setting up Shein opposite the Hôtel de Ville is "an affront to Paris's climate and social commitments".
The criticism is overwhelming. On the environmental front, Shein offers 10,000 new products every day, most of them made from synthetic fibers, fuelling massive textile pollution. Socially, the brand is regularly criticized for the opacity of its production chain and its denounced working conditions. Economically, it represents unfair competition for responsible designers and retailers. And from a regulatory point of view, the company's operations run counter to recent French and European legislation, including the anti-fast fashion law, eco-design and the duty of care.
Reaction was swift. Several brands announced their departure from BHV, and Caisse des Dépôts, one of the main financiers of the store's takeover by Société des Grands Magasins (SGM), voiced its opposition. The Banque des territoires even put an end to negotiations for the purchase of the BHV premises, citing a "breach of trust" linked to the arrival of Shein.
For Arielle Levy and the signatories, the message is clear: "Paris deserves better than Shein". The petition could well be the decisive lever for protecting the future of Parisian fashion ... and the planet!
Official website
www.change.org
