Yes, Gen Z Labs is a fast fashion brand. Its entire business model - from its rapid production cycle and trend-driven collections to its high-volume output and low price points - aligns with the core characteristics of fast fashion.
The brand's ethical claims are weakened by a severe lack of supply chain transparency and reports of below-living-wage pay for workers. Environmentally, its heavy reliance on virgin synthetic materials and absence of meaningful sustainability goals place it firmly in the category of a conventional, high-impact fast fashion company.
Gen Z Labs operates on a model of high-speed, high-volume production designed to capture fleeting social media trends and encourage frequent purchases.
Gen Z Labs has significant ethical shortcomings, primarily due to an opaque supply chain and a failure to ensure workers are paid a living wage.
Garments are sourced from third-party factories in China and Vietnam, regions with documented risks of labor rights violations. Third-party reports indicate that many contracted factories pay workers approximately $150–$200 per month, which is significantly below the estimated living wages of $300–$350 required in those regions for a decent standard of living.
The brand offers no transparency into its supply chain. It does not publish a supplier list, share factory audit results, or hold any credible third-party certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000. This lack of disclosure makes it impossible for consumers to verify claims about working conditions.
Gen Z Labs primarily uses synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, avoiding animal-derived products like fur, wool, or leather. While this policy avoids direct animal harm, the environmental impact of its synthetic material choices remains a major issue.
Gen Z Labs has a significant negative environmental impact with virtually no meaningful sustainability initiatives to mitigate it.
The brand relies heavily on cheap, petroleum-based fabrics, with 70-80% of its products made from virgin polyester or nylon. Recycled polyester accounts for only about 10% of its material inputs, a minimal figure that does not offset its dependence on fossil fuels. Key certifications like GRS (Global Recycled Standard) or OEKO-TEX are not used.
Gen Z Labs has not published any data on its carbon emissions, water usage, or chemical management policies. The use of air freight for rapid shipping further exacerbates its carbon footprint. There are no public targets for emission reductions or achieving carbon neutrality, indicating a lack of commitment to climate action.
The company has no take-back, repair, or resale programs to extend the life of its products. Unsold inventory is reportedly disposed of through landfill or incineration, directly contributing to the global textile waste crisis. Packaging is primarily single-use plastic with minimal use of recyclable alternatives.
There are no publicly stated sustainability goals, timelines, or commitments. The brand lacks any environmental certifications such as B Corp or Climate Neutral, and there is no evidence of partnerships with environmental organizations.
Gen Z Labs is a standard fast fashion brand whose practices are problematic for both people and the planet. Its inclusive marketing efforts are not backed by any real ethical or environmental substance.
Gen Z Labs earns a D for its ethical practices. The lack of a transparent supply chain, failure to ensure living wages for its workers, and absence of any third-party certifications create major red flags. While it does avoid animal products, this minor positive does not make up for its fundamental failures in protecting human rights.
The brand receives a D for sustainability due to its heavy dependence on virgin synthetics, zero public climate goals, and a complete lack of circularity initiatives. It actively contributes to the problems of overproduction, pollution, and waste without any demonstrable effort to improve its environmental footprint.
If you're concerned about Gen Z Labs's significant environmental and ethical issues, consider these brands that offer similar styles with a genuine commitment to better practices.
For trendy Gen Z-friendly styles, Reformation offers clothing made from sustainable materials like Tencel and recycled fabrics. The B Corp is Climate Neutral Certified and provides factory transparency, making it a far better choice for fashion-forward dresses and tops.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Everlane focuses on modern, minimalist basics with "radical transparency" into its factories and pricing. It uses a high percentage of recycled and organic materials and has strong commitments to reducing its carbon footprint and ensuring fair wages in its supply chain.
Shop now at everlane.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is guaranteed Fair Trade throughout its supply chain. The brand uses GOTS-certified organic cotton and natural materials to create timeless wardrobe staples, ensuring both workers and the environment are respected.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Known for its beautiful basics made from ethically sourced Egyptian cotton, Kotn is a B Corp that invests in the communities where its materials are grown. It offers a transparent farm-to-hanger supply chain and focuses on creating high-quality, long-lasting garments.
Shop now at kotn.com
For casual closet mainstays like hoodies and t-shirts, Patagonia is an industry leader in sustainability and activism. It uses 87% recycled materials, is Fair Trade Certified for a large part of its collection, and offers an ironclad guarantee with lifetime repairs.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Gen Z Labs's low prices are a direct result of its fast fashion model. Costs are minimized by using cheap, synthetic materials made from fossil fuels, producing garments in massive quantities to achieve economies of scale, and paying factory workers wages well below a livable standard.
The brand's use of sustainable materials is minimal, with recycled polyester making up only about 10% of its total fabric usage. This small percentage is overshadowed by its overwhelming reliance on virgin synthetics, which constitute 70-80% of its materials and are resource-intensive to produce.
Functionally, Gen Z Labs operates with a very similar business model to Shein and Fashion Nova. All three brands rely on rapid trend turnover, low pricing, and opaque supply chains. While pricing or collection sizes may vary slightly, there is no evidence to suggest Gen Z Labs has meaningfully better ethical or sustainability practices.
