As hundreds flock to a ‘quick fashion’ event, local labeling say they’re struggling to stay upright

One American brand is closing down as nearby designers struggle to compete with “fast fashion” producers while thousands of shoppers search for bargains at a discount clothing event.

Australia has historically offshoreed the majority of its clothing production, allowing for mass-produced garments at a low price.

Australians continue to access low fashion on a worldwide scale as the cost-of-living crisis fuels demand for cheap clothing, mainly thanks to the growth of online “fast fashion” websites.

A large crowd lining up for a fashion event in Perth.

A term used to describe clothing that is produced immediately, on a mass scale, is fast fashion.

A multi-billion money virtual clothing store gave Perth residents the opportunity to make their purchases in person this weekend.

Ellise was the first person to enter the building.

“I’ve been waiting below since 6am, it was really dark”, she said.

A woman named Ellise wearing pink clothing and smiling for the camera.

“They have very distinctive patterns, I’m really excited that they’ve come over to Perth.”

Crowds waited for hours in the Claremont Showgrounds car park, eager to buy both large and affordable.

According to Ellise, “It cost $130 for all three of these items, which was a fantastic value because I believe it would cost between $500 and $600 if you went somewhere else.”

Dominance on manufacturing

Local custom Shannon Malone packed her final orders at the same time, shutting down her brand after four years in operation.

With the business and the cost level I had to be charging for garments, she said, “It was just no longer practical to produce clothes in Western Australia.”

A woman named Shannon Malone fold an item of clothing.

With one staff, Ms Malone did style, cut, and weave clothing from her workshop in Perth.

“With speedy clothing companies, they have the dominance on largely product manufacturing. They’ve got the quickest turnaround”, she said.

“There are “giants” who proudly boast they have 120 fresh styles per year, but there is no way a company like mine, on this level could compare to the return of a sizable brand like that.”

A woman folding a piece of orange striped fabric.

One of the many Australian-made labels closing its doors as a part of a global net market war is Ms. Malone’s.

She said, “Every year, there is a small company closing down.”

“It’s going to be quite rare to find clothing made in Australia”.

“Real double regular,”

According to study from the Australia Institute, Australians have become the biggest per person customers in the world.

The 2024 analysis revealed Australian’s get an average of more than 50 fresh items of clothing a month.

In comparison to $40 in the UK, those new clothes cost on average $13.

Ms. Malone claimed that outsourcing manufacturing to other countries has made it difficult for people to comprehend what goes into producing a responsible and long-lasting product.

“Whenever there’s a thread on a cloth, it’s a man behind the machine”, Ms Malone said.

“More and more homeowners and buyers are wanting to know where our food has come from and where our egg come from, but that’s not the case with clothing at all.”

“There’s a true dual standard.”

Smaller company struggle

Designer Luka Rey said quickly fashion houses have benefited from the rising cost of living because she makes clothing to get from her home theater.

Clothing with shorter lifespans is the consequence.

A woman named Luka Rey stands in a fashion design studio.

I believe that many large companies see rate increases everywhere, and they just start introducing lower-priced products and introducing lower-priced materials as they try to fill that gap, she said.

“But it’s obvious that I wouldn’t feel at ease doing that.”

Ms. Rey claimed that because their products are typically made in small quantities from costly materials, smaller companies charge a higher price stage.

She claimed that the argument for supporting local is more complex than accepting that people would spend money beyond their means.

You can’t deny that there are people who can’t afford that, she said.

It’s about encouraging people to keep their values in check, I don’t believe it’s necessarily fair to say that everyone should just be spending more.

“If you want to sit in a world where different imagination exists, then you need to help it, then it’s only going to disappear.”