The End of Sustainable Fashion
Everlane, once a leader in sustainable fashion, is reportedly being sold to fast-fashion giant Shein, signaling a shift away from ethical clothing practices. The company is facing significant financial difficulties, including $90 million in debt and potential eviction from its headquarters. This development raises questions about the future of sustainable fashion and the effectiveness of ethical consumerism in addressing industry issues.
- ▪Everlane is $90 million in debt and facing eviction from its headquarters.
- ▪The company has reportedly found a buyer in Shein, known for its fast-fashion practices.
- ▪The era of sustainable fashion represented by Everlane appears to be fading.
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CultureThe End of Sustainable FashionWith Everlane’s reported sale to Shein, the current model for ethical clothing is over.By Elizabeth ClineSmith Collection / Gado / GettyMay 19, 2026, 12:14 PM ET ShareSave A decade or so ago, pairing Everlane kick-crop jeans with the brand’s almond-toe Modern Loafer and a crewneck sweater was a quintessential Millennial city-girl uniform: minimalist, boring, and, most important, vaguely ethical. The San Francisco–based fashion start-up was founded in the early 2010s on the premise of “radical transparency.” It told consumers about the factory where their shirt was made and the cost to produce it, down to the labor and markup, which it said was a fraction of the markup of other retailers.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Atlantic.
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