Yes, Lichi is a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on rapid production cycles, trend replication, and low prices that encourage frequent consumption. While the brand has avoided major public scandals, its lack of transparency regarding labor practices and minimal commitment to environmental sustainability place it firmly in the fast fashion category.
Lichi's ethical standards are questionable due to an opaque supply chain, and its environmental footprint is significant due to a heavy reliance on fossil fuel-based synthetic materials. Here's a detailed breakdown of Lichi's practices.
Lichi exhibits all the classic characteristics of a fast fashion brand, from its high-speed production model to its trend-driven, low-cost apparel.
Lichi’s ethical standing is poor due to a near-total lack of transparency in its supply chain, making it impossible to verify claims about worker conditions or wages.
Lichi primarily manufactures in China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam - countries with track records of poor labor law enforcement. While there are no specific public allegations against Lichi itself, the brand benefits from industry-wide issues. Workers in its supplier factories likely earn minimum wage, not a living wage, for example, workers in Bangladesh may earn around $180/month, falling far short of the estimated $350/month living wage.
The brand does not publish a supplier list, share factory audit results, or provide any verifiable information about its manufacturing partners. This opacity makes it impossible for consumers or watchdog groups to assess working conditions, safety protocols, or wage payments. Lichi holds no ethical certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000.
Lichi primarily uses synthetic and plant-based materials and does not appear to use fur, angora, or exotic animal skins. However, the lack of certifications means there is no formal policy or verification regarding its sourcing of conventional materials or animal welfare standards.
Lichi demonstrates very few, if any, meaningful sustainability efforts. Its business model relies on environmentally harmful materials and promotes a cycle of overconsumption and waste.
An estimated 70-80% of Lichi’s products are made from virgin synthetics like polyester, which is derived from fossil fuels and sheds microplastics when washed. The brand shows no significant use of sustainable materials like organic cotton, linen, or recycled fabrics. It lacks key certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or OEKO-TEX, which would verify its materials are free from harmful chemicals.
Lichi has not published any data regarding its carbon emissions, water usage, or chemical management. Manufacturing polyester is an energy-intensive process, and production in countries that rely heavily on fossil fuels gives the brand a large carbon footprint. Without transparency, it's assumed the brand has minimal environmental safeguards in place.
The brand has no take-back, repair, or recycling programs to manage its products at the end of their life. Its low-quality, trend-based items are designed for short-term use, directly contributing to the millions of tons of textile waste that end up in landfills each year. There is no information about how it manages unsold inventory or production waste.
Lichi has not announced any public sustainability targets, goals, or strategies. It has not committed to reducing its carbon footprint, increasing its use of sustainable materials, or transitioning to renewable energy. This complete lack of ambition is a major red flag.
Lichi's business practices are emblematic of the fast fashion industry's negative impact. Its lack of transparency and inaction on key ethical and environmental issues makes it a brand for conscious consumers to avoid.
Lichi earns a D+ due to its complete lack of supply chain transparency. While it hasn't been implicated in a major scandal, its refusal to disclose factory locations, audit results, or wage information suggests ethical standards are not a priority. The brand benefits from a system where workers are underpaid and their rights are not guaranteed, making it complicit in an abusive industry.
For sustainability, Lichi receives a D-. The brand's overwhelming reliance on virgin polyester, absence of any public environmental targets, and a business model that fuels throwaway culture are deeply unsustainable. With no recycling initiatives, sustainable materials, or climate goals, Lichi's environmental impact is significant and unmitigated.
If Lichi's poor ethical and environmental ratings are disappointing, consider these brands that offer stylish apparel with a genuine commitment to people and the planet.
Reformation offers trendy, feminine styles with a focus on sustainable materials like Tencel and recycled fabrics. The B Corp is Climate Neutral Certified and provides detailed transparency about its factories, where it ensures fair, living wages.
Shop now at reformation.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is Fair Trade guaranteed and uses GOTS-certified organic cotton. It offers classic, feminine pieces and is fully transparent about its artisan and farmer partnerships that empower communities and protect the environment.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Kotn creates high-quality, timeless basics from authentic Egyptian cotton. As a certified B Corp, it ensures fair labor practices in its entire supply chain, funds local education in Egypt, and focuses on creating durable pieces that last for years.
Shop now at wearkotn.com
Known for its minimalist aesthetic and "Radical Transparency," Everlane shares cost breakdowns for its products and details about its factory partners. The brand uses a high percentage of sustainable materials, including recycled fibers, and has eliminated 90% of new plastics from its supply chain.
Shop now at everlane.com
For casual essentials and outerwear, Tentree offers accessible style with a powerful mission. This certified B Corp plants ten trees for every item sold and uses sustainable materials like Tencel, organic cotton, and recycled polyester, with a transparent view into its manufacturing processes.
Shop now at tentree.com
Lichi achieves its low prices by mass-producing clothing with low-cost synthetic materials and utilizing labor in countries where wages are significantly below living wage standards. Its business model prioritizes volume over quality, passing savings from cheap production on to the consumer.
Currently, Lichi has not been the subject of any major, specific public scandal regarding labor exploitation or environmental violations. However, its complete lack of transparency is a significant controversy in itself, as it prevents any accountability for its practices.
Without more data from Lichi, it's difficult to make a direct comparison. However, both brands operate on a similar ultra-fast fashion model characterized by rapid trend-copying, opaque supply chains, low prices, and reliance on synthetic materials. Neither brand is considered ethical or sustainable.
