Abstract
The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the pivotal role advertising plays in fast fashion consumption and shaping young consumers ideas and values about the fashion industry, fast fashion, sustainable consumption, and sustainability. This study contributes to limited research into greenwashing and consumer perceptions and attitudes towards sustainable consumption. Moreover, this study highlights the increased relevance of the sustainable fashion movement in mainstream society. The researcher recruited 30 college students to participants in focus group sessions and individual interviews. An H&M advertisement and a video clip from a documentary, The True Cost, were shown to participants, so the researcher could examine how participants evaluated the advertising message about sustainability and what their interpretations revealed about their perceptions and attitudes of sustainability and sustainable consumption. In addition, the researcher performed a rhetorical analysis on the same H&M advertisement to illustrate the rhetorical devices H&M used to greenwash. Major conclusions of this research include the finding that while all young consumers had strong environmental values and comprehension of sustainability, engagement in sustainable habits and behaviors were gendered. In addition, the participants understanding of capitalism and corporate structures, suggest that greenwashed advertisements may be unsuccessful in persuading young consumers of sustainable claims made by fast fashion brands.
Advisor
Nikoi, Nii
Department
Communication Studies
Recommended Citation
Rosenstein, Camryn Eve, "Breaking News: Sustainable Fashion is In and Fast Fashion is Out; Constructions of Sustainable Consumption in Fast Fashion Advertising" (2021). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 9596.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/9596
Disciplines
Critical and Cultural Studies | Mass Communication | Public Relations and Advertising | Speech and Rhetorical Studies
Keywords
Greenwashing, advertising, sustainability, sustainable consumption, sustainable fashion, fast fashion, consumer perceptions, consumer attitudes, gen z
Publication Date
2021
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis Exemplar
Included in
Critical and Cultural Studies Commons, Mass Communication Commons, Public Relations and Advertising Commons, Speech and Rhetorical Studies Commons
© Copyright 2021 Camryn Eve Rosenstein