The disaster graphically demonstrated the true cost of quickly changing trends, or “fast fashion”, for high-street brands such as Gap and Benetton: dangerous working conditions, long hours and little pay for the garment workers.

But despite fast fashion’s growth, chains including H&M are increasingly facing criticism over both environmental and social justice concerns. …Though fast fashion offers consumers a wider variety of styles, the rising trend has also been tied to growing amounts of textiles in landfills. …Furthermore, many fast fashion retailers rely on cheap labor to produce high quantities of their products.

Recent years have seen the rise of fast-fashion behemoths like Forever 21, H&M, Zara — the list goes on.

So far, Zara is a niche player in the U.S. "Not a heavyweight — more like a wannabe," says Kurt Barnard of Barnard's Retail Consulting Group. But shoppers are finding Zara's mix of fast fashion appealing.