Great facts have a way of changing how we see the world. Here are 21 interesting facts about Shein, handpicked and verified by our editorial team. Some of these might genuinely surprise you — even if you think you already know the subject well.
Shein was founded in China in 2008 by Chris Xu, an entrepreneur and expert in search engine optimization (SEO). At first, they sold wedding dresses online and were initially called ZZKKO.
In 2011, Xu registered the website SheInside.com. While it still sold wedding dresses, the company now sold a broad range of women’s wear. It wasn’t until 2015 that the brand “Shein” was adopted.
Shein partners with upcoming designers through its Shein X program. According to Shein, it aims to help designers improve their skills, allowing them to design unique clothes while Shein handles their creations’ production, marketing, and sales.
In 2024, Shein removed children’s items and leather bags from its website. This followed findings by South Korean authorities that these products contained high levels of toxic substances, including phthalates.
Shein no longer does just clothes, though. You can find all kinds of cheap and cheerful goods, like mini poker cards, a bread-shaped pillow, and even a home sauna!
In 2020, Shein and other Chinese apps were banned in India due to tensions between India and China. A year later, the fast-fashion brand tried re-entering the market with Amazon’s help but was largely unsuccessful.
While Shein is known for its affordable clothes, it does have a premium brand called MOTF, which sells higher-priced and higher-quality clothes than Shein.
Shein was investigated by US lawmakers in 2023 for claims of using forced labor from imprisoned Uyghurs, a persecuted ethnic minority. Unsurprisingly, Shein denied the allegations.
Shein has a free trial program in which customers get free clothes in exchange for detailed reviews on their quality, style, fit, and fabric.
Shein went viral on TikTok in 2022 after videos posted to the platform claimed workers hid help messages in clothing tags. According to Shein, it was all a big misunderstanding over a mistranslation.
EvoluSHEIN is SHEIN’s initiative to make clothes more eco-friendly by creating garments with at least 30% of its preferred sustainable materials. This includes recycled polyester, forest-friendly viscose, and deadstock fabric.
In the second quarter of 2022, Shein’s mobile app was downloaded more times than Amazon’s in the US for the first time. While the Amazon App reached 6.3 billion times, Shein’s hit 6.8 million!
In 2018, Shein was sued by Levi’s for copying their trademarked stitching pattern, the Arcuate, which is sewn on the back pocket. Shein ended up settling the matter with Levi’s out of court.
In 2014, Shein acquired Romwe, another online clothing store, expanding the brand’s reach and enabling it to offer more trendy, affordable clothes.
Shein began rolling out pop-up stores in 2018, giving customers a chance to shop in-store. The company took this concept worldwide, launching 40 temporary shops in countries like Spain, France, and Italy throughout 2022.
Shein hosted a virtual music fest called Shein Together in 2020, featuring numerous celebrities, such as Katy Perry, Lil Nas X, and Doja Cat.
A 2021 report by Swiss advocacy group Public Eye revealed that Shein workers in China typically work 75 hours a week, earning around $330 monthly. They often work 12-hour days with an unjustly one day off per month!
In 2022, Shein moved its headquarters from China to Singapore to avoid issues with US regulators and to expand globally while maintaining its supply chains in China.
Shein opened its first permanent store in Tokyo, Japan, in 2022. It featured Instagrammable fitting rooms and photo booths. Products aren’t actually sold in the store. Instead, shoppers must scan the clothes’ QR codes using the Shein app for purchase and delivery.
Shein merged with Forever 21 in 2023, allowing them to sell some Forever 21 clothes on their website and let customers return Shein products at Forever 21’s stores.
In 2023, Cassey Ho POPFLEX claimed that Shein stole the exact design of her Pirouette Skort, a piece of clothing that combines a skirt with built-in shorts for added comfort and coverage.
The story of Shein is a complex mix of rapid growth, innovation, and significant controversy.
While the brand has managed to capture the attention of fashion enthusiasts worldwide with its affordable and trendy clothing, the underlying issues cannot be ignored.
Despite facing numerous controversies over the years, Shein has remained in business and continues to dominate the fashion industry.
Next time you browse their collection, remember the hidden costs behind those low prices and consider the ethical implications of fast fashion.
The Bottom Line: From the surprising to the thought-provoking, Shein has more layers than most people ever get to explore. These 21 facts are a great starting point. Which one surprised you most? We’d love to hear from you!
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