Shein pop-up store to open at Brookside Shopping Centre

Fast fashion Chinese empire Shein will hold its first pop-up store in Brisbane next week, but an exclusive Quest Newspapers poll shows fashion lovers are split over the “controversial” decision.

Fast-fashion Chinese empire Shein is hosting its first pop-up store in Mitchelton next week but fashion lovers are divided.

Local fashion fans are divided over whether to cheer or boo after the announcement Chinese “fast fashion’’ giant Shein will host its first Brisbane pop-up shop next week, a new poll shows.

Shein has enlisted more than a dozen influencers, including Gold Coasters Emilee Hembrow and Jadee Vice, to promote the Queensland-first event, at Brookside Shopping Centre in Mitchelton from February 9-11. 

“Shein is thrilled to bring our unique, immersive shopping experience to Brisbane, our first stop in Australia this year,” a company spokesperson said.

Dozens of people responded to a Quest Newspapers’ poll about the event expressing their excitement.

However some eco-friendly shoppers who were opposed to fast fahion labelled it “disgusting”.

Many of those in favour of the pop-up event praised Shein’s large range of styles, sizes and its affordability.

Others vented their dissatisfaction with the company’s environmental impact and ethics after it was hit with copyright lawsuits from brands such as Uniqlo.

A Shein spokesperson said: “Shein respects the intellectual property rights of others and takes all claims of infringement seriously.’’

Brisbane’s Pauline Maubog said she shopped with Shein because, as a plus-sized woman, finding stylish clothes that were a comfortable fit was almost impossible elsewhere.

“Buying cheaper clothes makes it easier to experiment with different styles that I don’t have to commit to for too long,” she said.

“Shopping at Shein doesn’t mean I like doing it. If I had the means to ethically shop for clothes I definitely would,” she said.

But Gillian Wyrd, who lived with a disability and referred to herself as plus sized, said she chose to shop for clothes at op-shops rather than fast fashion outlets including Shein.

The $100 billion company boasts of its affordable prices and variety of options.

“Being plus sized is not an excuse to shop fast fashion, mass-produced rubbish,” Ms Wyrd said.

Payton Turner said fast fashion ended up in landfill faster, which was her biggest issue with companies such as Shein.

“People who shop at Shein are part of the problem. Their impact on the environment ... is because of buyers,” Miss Turner said.

Many young women said the cost of living crisis made it increasingly difficult to shop with ethics at the forefront of their minds.

Mother Elise McDonald said it was unrealistic for a middle-income family to shop purely on ethical considerations.

“Shein provides an enormous catalogue of clothes in all sizes without taking a huge hit to your pocket,” she said.

“If ethically-sourced clothing was available at this price point then of course we would change, but that’s not realistic.’’

Another poll respondent said: “It’s all a lot of students and younger people can buy at the moment, with the rising costs of everything else and the pressures from social media to stay on trend.”