SHEIN

Shein is promoting its Real Deal Sale with an advertisement that openly states the video is AI-generated while the discounts are real. The campaign has drawn massive attention, racking up millions of engagements, as shoppers react to the retailer embracing fully artificial advertising for a live sale event.

A debate is under way over whether secondhand and thrift shopping can counter the rise of Shein, the ultra-fast-fashion retailer known for cheap, rapidly produced clothing. The discussion centres on the environmental and social costs of fast fashion and whether buying used clothes is a realistic, scalable alternative for consumers.