American Fashion Influencers Face Backlash Over Shein's China Factory Tour

Following their Shein-sponsored tour to a Chinese model factory, US fashion influencers and artists receive harsh online criticism. The influencers posted glowing testimonials about their experiences, infuriating internet commenters and customers.

Like many other Chinese businesses, Shein has come under fire for several issues, including its pricing policy, labor practices' transparency, and the effect of its activities on the environment.

The influencers visited Guangzhou, a massive metropolis in southern China, for the sponsored trip in mid-June to check out Shein's "innovation center." The building included cutting-edge equipment, including robots transporting materials and sophisticated fabric cutters, CNN reported.

A few influencers even tried their hand at some of the chores while on the trip and saw employees joyfully engaged in the manufacture of clothing.

Critics Raise Shein's Human Rights, Environment Issues

Previously selling items on Shein, designer Kenya Freeman chronicled her trip to China and Singapore, where Shein is now based, on her Instagram account. However, there was an immediate pushback as soon as the influencers' posts went public.

Many critics crowded the comment sections, raising concerns about the influencers' knowledge of the alleged human rights violations connected to Shein and the negative impacts of fast fashion on the environment. Many people regret their choice to support what they saw as immoral principles.

One of the influencers, Dani DMC, responded to the criticism by mocking herself in a now-deleted video as an "investigative journalist."

According to her, a factory worker she met with contradicted the stories going about in the country and provided information about her daily routine, commute, and working hours. Dani challenged her fans to think for themselves and challenge the myths created around Shein in the US.

Is It Chinese Business Propaganda?

Social media users criticized the influencers for seeming to ignore the predicament of Shein's employees and the adverse effects the company's methods have on the environment. Some said they sold out for their own benefit and promoted a business with a bad image.

Even a well-known menswear writer said on Twitter that Shein operated "a sweatshop in the back" while presenting itself to North American customers as progressive.

The Shein-sponsored vacation stands out even though brands often finance influencer trips since the trip's influencers are overtly endorsing the firm rather than just advertising its goods, according to Lia Haberman, an adjunct lecturer of influencer marketing at the University of California, Los Angeles Extension. She also voiced worry about influencer outings that essentially act as corporate propaganda.

Shein is well known for selling stylish items at reasonable costs, including skirts for $13 and t-shirts for $3. According to internet analytics company SimilarWeb, the business creates almost 6,000 pieces of apparel daily and is among the top 100 most visited websites worldwide, according to CBC.