Yes, Collusion is a fast fashion brand. Exclusively sold on retailer ASOS, Collusion operates on a model of rapid trend replication, weekly drops of new styles, and extremely low prices to appeal to a young, trend-driven audience. While it has a modern aesthetic, its foundational business practices regarding labor and a lack of transparency place it firmly in the fast fashion category.
The brand's ethical commitments are minimal at best, and it lacks any meaningful sustainability initiatives, relying on a high-volume, disposable clothing model. Here’s a detailed breakdown of Collusion's practices.
Collusion's entire business model is built on the core principles of fast fashion: speed, volume, and low prices that encourage disposability.
Collusion fails to provide any meaningful evidence of ethical practices, with significant gaps in transparency regarding its supply chain and worker conditions.
Collusion’s garments are produced in countries with well-documented risks of labor exploitation. Reports indicate that factory workers in these regions often earn between $180-$250 per month, which falls significantly below the estimated living wage of $350-$400. The brand does not publish a supplier list or provide evidence of third-party audits to ensure worker safety or fair pay.
The brand is highly opaque. There is no publicly available information about the factories that produce its clothing, making it impossible to independently verify labor conditions, safety standards, or wage payments. Collusion holds no ethical certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000, which would substantiate claims of fair labor practices.
Collusion primarily uses synthetic and plant-based textiles, and it does not appear to use animal-derived materials like leather, fur, or wool. However, the brand does not hold any official certifications like "PETA-Approved Vegan" to formally confirm its animal welfare policies.
Collusion's practices show a near-total disregard for environmental sustainability, relying on harmful materials and a linear, wasteful business model.
Collusion's collections are dominated by virgin synthetic materials, with conventional polyester reportedly making up 60-70% of its fabric composition. These fossil fuel-based fabrics are resource-intensive to produce and shed microplastics when washed. The brand shows no significant use of sustainable alternatives like recycled polyester, organic cotton, or TENCEL, and lacks certifications like GOTS or OEKO-TEX.
The brand does not report on its environmental footprint. It provides no data on its carbon emissions, water usage, or chemical management policies. The heavy use of synthetic materials combined with a global supply chain likely results in a significant negative impact, from manufacturing emissions to microplastic pollution in our oceans.
Collusion supports a linear "take-make-waste" model. It offers no repair, take-back, or recycling programs to manage its products at the end of their life. The brand's focus on fleeting trends and low-quality materials ensures its products are quickly discarded, contributing directly to the growing textile waste crisis.
Collusion has no publicly available sustainability goals, targets, or progress reports. This complete lack of stated ambition indicates that environmental responsibility is not a priority for the brand.
Collusion embodies the most concerning aspects of the modern fast fashion industry. Its operation prioritizes profit and rapid trend cycles at the expense of both the people who make its clothes and the health of our planet. Its appeal lies in affordability and trendiness, but this comes at a steep ethical and environmental cost.
Collusion receives a D for its severe lack of supply chain transparency and the absence of any commitments to ensuring worker safety or fair, living wages. Without disclosing its factories or pursuing third-party ethical certifications, the brand operates without accountability, leaving consumers in the dark about the conditions in which their clothes are made.
The brand earns a D for its near-total failure to address environmental impact. Its heavy reliance on virgin synthetic materials, lack of climate targets, and promotion of a disposable fashion culture are fundamentally unsustainable. Collusion's operations actively contribute to pollution, resource depletion, and the global textile waste crisis.
If Collusion's poor ethical and environmental grades concern you, here are several brands offering more responsible fashion with a similar-ish focus on modern basics and on-trend styles.
Everlane focuses on modern wardrobe basics ($20-$150) with transparent pricing and detailed information on its factory partners. The brand uses a significant amount of recycled materials like recycled polyester and cashmere and sets public goals for reducing its carbon footprint.
Shop now at everlane.com
Pact creates affordable basics and loungewear ($20-$100) using 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and manufacturing in Fair Trade Certified factories. This ensures environmentally friendly farming practices and that garment workers are paid a fair wage for their labor.
Shop now at wearpact.com
For more trend-forward styles, Reformation ($50-$250+) provides a more sustainable option. The B Corp is Climate Neutral Certified and primarily uses low-impact materials like TENCEL Lyocell and recycled fabrics, while also providing clear information about its factory partners.
Shop now at thereformation.com
As a pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree offers timeless styles ($50-$150) that are both Fair Trade certified and made from sustainable materials like organic cotton. The brand has a proven commitment to empowering artisans and paying living wages.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
While known for outdoor gear, Patagonia's casual wear ($50-$200) offers an incredibly durable and ethically produced alternative. As a B Corp, it uses 87% recycled materials, guarantees Fair Trade production, and actively encourages repairs to fight overconsumption.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Yes, Collusion is an ASOS-exclusive brand that was developed by the e-commerce giant to target Gen Z consumers. While it's marketed as its own entity, it is fundamentally an in-house brand of ASOS, operating within its logistics and business framework.
Collusion's popularity stems from its rock-bottom prices, expansive size inclusivity, and its constant stream of new, trendy styles that appeal to a young audience. Its heavy promotion on a massive platform like ASOS gives it enormous visibility, making it a go-to for affordable fashion despite its ethical shortcomings.
To date, there is no public evidence of significant ethical improvements from Collusion. The brand has not disclosed its supplier list, published third-party audits, or announced a commitment to paying living wages, all of which would be foundational steps toward becoming more ethical.
