Shein’s licensed collection with iconic band The Rolling Stones is set to be slashed as the group looks to cut its ties with the brand.
The news comes a month after an investigation by Channel 4 into Shein’s working conditions saw an undercover journalist named “Mei” visit factories to discover the appalling wages and long-hours workers were dealing with.
The Rolling Stones have demanded that their merchandising team terminate a contract with the online fast-fashion retailer after it faced several allegations of labour abuse.
Developed by Bravado International Group Merchandising Services, the “Shein x Rolling Stones” deal saw the retailer offer 59 different licensed products before the band called for the deal to end.
“This is a licencing deal with Bravado Inc and as such they have the rights to exploit the brand on merchandise,” A Rolling Stones spokesperson told The i. “We do not want to be associated with Shein, having been made aware of the recent revelations about the treatment of workers in its supply chain, and have requested the line be terminated.”
M&C Saatchi Talk account manager, Cordelia Speed, believes that The Rolling Stones and Shein collaboration has ended as a result of modern consumers becoming more “fundamentally inquisitive, attentive, and engaged.”
“With ethical consumerism on the rise, more and more people are demanding answers to difficult questions that once were pushed aside,” she added. “When it comes to choosing who they engage with and purchase from, consumers seek out brands that reflect their values – those they can proudly ‘represent’.”
“Arguably, high profile music bands and artists, need to be just as sensitive – and demand the same values that their fans expect. A partnership is a two-way street. Both parties must ask themselves if they are truly proud to represent the other.”
To add to the Shein controversy, environmental campaigners have claimed that clothes sold by Shein contain ‘hazardous chemicals’ which breach EU regulations.
Greenpeace Germany analysed 47 products and found that 15 % had ‘hazardous chemicals’ at levels that breach EU regulatory limits.
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According to a report from the group, these chemicals threaten the health of consumers and ecosystems.
“Greenpeace Germany’s findings show that the use of hazardous chemicals underpins SHEIN’s ultra fast fashion business model, which is the opposite of being future-proof,” Greenpeace Germany toxics and circular economy campaigner, Viola Wohlgemuth, said.
“SHEIN products containing hazardous chemicals are flooding European markets and breaking regulations – which are not being enforced by the authorities.”
