Remember Brandy Melville, the fashion brand with the one-size clothing and many, many crop tops? It was a staple of the Californian dream aesthetic during the Instagram and Tumblr era of the 2010s-2014s.
But a troubling reality lies beneath the surface of its popular image and millions of likes.
In the new HBO documentary “Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion,” shocking revelations unfold about the toxic culture thriving within the company. The documentary is produced by the non-profit organization Remake in collaboration with director Eva Orner.
Former employees and insiders share their stories of discrimination, exploitation, and misogyny. From discriminatory hiring practices to allegations of sexual exploitation, the documentary sheds light on the dark side of this beloved brand.
What’s truly alarming is how a brand targeting teenage girls could exploit women at every level, from consumers to garment workers in its supply chain. The allure of Brandy Melville’s curated social media presence, seemingly authentic, was completely crafted. Even the “made in Italy” labels mask the reality of sweatshop conditions and immigrant labor in Prato, Italy, where the brand sources its products.
Sadly, Brandy Melville isn’t alone in this exploitative cycle. Giants like Zara and Shein follow suit, capitalizing on trends and influencers to drive demand, leading to unsustainable production rates and environmental damage.
The documentary weaves the story of how fashion is built on the exploitation of women and girls and makes clear why fast fashion is a feminist issue.
Other Documentaries on the Fashion Industry
Documentaries offer a unique way to explore real-life stories, issues, and events, and they are amazing for educational purposes (amongst other things, of course). Brandy Hellville & the Cult of Fast Fashion is just one of those. Here are some other documentaries discussing the impacts of the fashion industry.
RiverBlue
In this documentary, Mark Angelo embarks on a three-year journey along some of the world’s most beautiful and polluted rivers. Along the way, he uncovers the staggering environmental damage caused by the fashion industry to these vital water sources.
You can find the documentary here.
The True Cost of Fast Fashion
“The True Cost” is a documentary that pulls back the curtain on the social and environmental toll of the fashion industry. It exposes the harsh realities of garment workers’ exploitation, the environmental damage caused by pollution and waste during production, and the damaging cycle of fast fashion that promotes incessant consumption and disposal of clothing.
You can watch this documentary on YouTube.
Made In Bangladesh
This documentary follows Shimu (age 23), a textile worker in a factory in Bangladesh. Faced with unsafe, unhealthy, and abusive work situations, she decides to start a union with the other garment workers. In the documentary, you see her struggles against management and her husband’s disapproval while fighting for a better working situation.
You can watch this documentary on Prime Video and Apple TV.
Sources
All pictures link to their source, and all credits go to the rightful owners.
You can find the header picture here.
Image Credit: Pixabay
