FASHION CONSUMPTION AND HUMAN RIGHTS, FROM A CONSUMER PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Fashion, an intricate fusion of culture, self-expression, and industry, envelops a hidden reality: consumer vulnerability. Within apparel products, consumers navigate a landscape where trends and personal aesthetics often overshadow a critical aspect—the right to information. Vulnerability in this domain transcends susceptibility to external influences; it delves into the power imbalance between consumers and providers, creating a concept of hyper-vulnerability that disproportionately exposes consumers to risks and uncertainties, particularly in the face of limited or distorted information. This paper aims to unravel these multifaceted layers of vulnerability in fashion consumption, emphasizing the nexus between information rights and consumer decision-making. The paper asserts that beyond convenience or preference, the right to access accurate and transparent information stands as a cornerstone of ethical consumerism. It advocates for a change in basic assumptions where informed choices are integral to human dignity, emphasizing the urgency for an empowered populace in a sustainable, ethically conscious world. The exploration unfolds with an examination of fashion as a cultural expression and industry, delving into its economic significance. Finally, the paper delves into consumers' rights to information in fashion consumption, addressing various facets like textiles, their composition, impacts on skin and body, post-consumption waste.  In conclusion, this paper advocates for a future where access to accurate and transparent information in fashion consumption is not a luxury but an inalienable right, essential for the integrity of human dignity.