Australian designer Alice McCall to judge Shein’s student fashion competition

It seems Alice McCall is unfazed by the fallout following news she was partnering with controversial website Shein, with the company announcing a new gig for the Australian designer.

Designer Alice McCall (centre) with models Joanna Oud and Ashley Pogmore. Picture: Oliver Minnett

It seems Australian designer Alice McCall is unfazed by the fallout following news she was partnering with controversial website Shein, now having been announced as a judge for its inaugural student fashion competition.

It was announced last year that the renowned Australian fashion creator’s former label would be “revived” via a collaboration with the Chinese fast-fashion retailer, which had fans of the beloved brand expressing “disappointment” and “devastation”.

Australian designer Alice McCall. Picture: Tim Hunter

Since its founding in 2008, Shein’s reputation — dubbed the “worst of the worst” by fashion ratings website, Good On You — has been sullied by allegations of labour abuse, poor quality, and unethical and unsustainable manufacturing output.

However, McCall has further solidified her relationship with the brand, being announced as a judge for its latest competition, the winner of which will have their designs manufactured and promoted via the Shein website.

@etherealelsa like sorry we need to talk about this i am PERPLEXED #alicemccall #shein ♬ original sound - elsa rae

“Retro-Futurism, the theme of the SHEIN R.I.S.E. Student Designer Challenge, opens a whole melting pot of the past, present and future and the opportunity to create wearable and covetable looks that feel relevant for today,” McCall said.

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