Thank you for your continued support!! To update you all, FIDM hasn't been in contact with me so I have reached out to the administration asking them to end their partnership with SHEIN and instead partner with a sustainable company. 

Below is the letter I sent out:

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to you as a concerned student at FIDM. I hold the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in high regard for its commitment to nurturing future fashion professionals and fostering creativity. It is with this respect in mind that I address a matter of utmost importance – FIDM's partnership with Shein, a fast fashion company known for its concerning ethical and environmental practices.

I understand that partnerships play a vital role in supporting educational institutions, including funding scholarships that enable aspiring designers to pursue their dreams. However, it is crucial to evaluate the ethical implications of these partnerships, especially when they involve companies like Shein, which has been widely criticized for its alleged exploitative labor practices, lack of transparency, and contribution to environmental degradation.

Fast fashion companies like Shein are notorious for their unsustainable business models, which often prioritize profit over people and the planet. By partnering with such a company, FIDM may inadvertently be endorsing practices that are fundamentally misaligned with the values of creativity, innovation, and responsible stewardship that the institute seeks to impart to its students. 

Currently, Shein is being sued by several designers for copyright infringement. Congress is also trying to block Shein from going public in the US. In May, a bipartisan group of two dozen lawmakers asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to put the brakes on an initial public offering by Shein until it verified that it does not use forced labor from the country's predominantly Muslim Uyghur population.

I strongly urge FIDM to reconsider its partnership with Shein and explore alternative collaborations with sustainable and ethically-conscious fashion companies. By aligning scholarships and other partnerships with companies that prioritize fair labor practices, environmental responsibility, and the long-term well-being of both the fashion industry and our global community, FIDM can truly make a positive impact. There are numerous sustainable fashion brands that uphold high ethical standards, promote innovative design, and contribute positively to the industry's future.

I am not the only one who thinks this. I have started a petition to end the partnership and we are at over 4000 signatures. There are also student testimonials on my Instagram and comments on the petition, as well.  

Thank you for taking the time to consider this important matter. I sincerely hope that FIDM will choose to stand on the right side of fashion history by ending its partnership with Shein and embracing a more sustainable and ethical path forward.

Please feel free to reach out if you would like to discuss this matter further or explore potential sustainable partnership opportunities. I am eager to support FIDM in its mission to educate and inspire the next generation of fashion leaders.