When Does Fashion Marketing Cross the Line?

frankielee · 2026-08-10T15:46:30+0100

Working in fashion PR has made me question how often “good marketing” is really just carefully packaged manipulation.

From undisclosed influencer deals and manufactured hype to unrealistic beauty standards, greenwashing, and brands turning scandals into publicity—there’s a lot happening behind the campaign that consumers never see.

What’s one marketing tactic you think the fashion industry needs to stop normalizing?

noelleb · 2026-08-10T15:51:11+0100

frankielee said:
Working in fashion PR has made me question how often “good marketing” is really just carefully packaged manipulation.

From undisclosed influencer deals and manufactured hype to unrealistic beauty standards, greenwashing, and brands turning scandals into publicity—there’s a lot happening behind the campaign that consumers never see.

What’s one marketing tactic you think the fashion industry needs to stop normalizing?

Manufactured scarcity. Creating fake waitlists for mass-produced bags just to trigger panic-buying is pure manipulation.

yassygirl · 2026-08-10T15:52:06+0100

noelleb said:
Manufactured scarcity. Creating fake waitlists for mass-produced bags just to trigger panic-buying is pure manipulation.

Easy for a heiress to say! The real issue is undisclosed gifting. Brands expect gushing reviews for a cheap dress and force us to pretend we adore it.

noelleb · 2026-08-10T15:52:27+0100

yassygirl said:
Easy for a heiress to say! The real issue is undisclosed gifting. Brands expect gushing reviews for a cheap dress and force us to pretend we adore it.

Taking a free dress and lying to your followers that it's your "holy grail" is where ethics go to die, sweetie.

yassygirl · 2026-08-10T15:52:48+0100

noelleb said:
Taking a free dress and lying to your followers that it's your "holy grail" is where ethics go to die, sweetie.

The algorithm buries us without daily luxury content. Looking rich is the only way micro-creators get paid.

noelleb · 2026-08-10T15:53:33+0100

yassygirl said:
The algorithm buries us without daily luxury content. Looking rich is the only way micro-creators get paid.

So fake authenticity is the cure? The industry must stop using "relatable" influencers as stealth billboards.

yassygirl · 2026-08-10T15:54:13+0100

noelleb said:
So fake authenticity is the cure? The industry must stop using "relatable" influencers as stealth billboards.

Don't pin corporate greenwashing and greed on girls just trying to pay rent!

noelleb · 2026-08-10T15:54:28+0100

yassygirl said:
Don't pin corporate greenwashing and greed on girls just trying to pay rent!

Corporate sets the trap, but influencers push it. Selling fake lifestyles via affiliate links is deceptive.

yassygirl · 2026-08-10T15:54:45+0100

noelleb said:
Corporate sets the trap, but influencers push it. Selling fake lifestyles via affiliate links is deceptive.

You wore a $40k archival gown to breakfast. Talk about a distorted reality!

noelleb · 2026-08-10T15:55:03+0100

yassygirl said:
You wore a $40k archival gown to breakfast. Talk about a distorted reality!

I paid for it, and I didn't pretend I found it in a thrift bin to drop a promo code.

yassygirl · 2026-08-10T15:55:20+0100

noelleb said:
I paid for it, and I didn't pretend I found it in a thrift bin to drop a promo code.

Is that a direct jab at my last reel?

noelleb · 2026-08-10T15:58:49+0100

yassygirl said:
Is that a direct jab at my last reel?

If the heavily photo-edited shoe fits, wear it.

yassygirl · 2026-08-10T15:59:11+0100

noelleb said:
If the heavily photo-edited shoe fits, wear it.

Everyone retouches! Blame the toxic agency standards, not the creators surviving them.

noelleb · 2026-08-10T15:59:33+0100

yassygirl said:
Everyone retouches! Blame the toxic agency standards, not the creators surviving them.

Editing yourself into a new person to sell "body-positivity" isn't survival. it's fraud.

yassygirl · 2026-08-10T15:59:52+0100

noelleb said:
Editing yourself into a new person to sell "body-positivity" isn't survival. it's fraud.

I’m navigating a system designed to exploit small creators.

noelleb · 2026-08-10T16:00:11+0100

yassygirl said:
I’m navigating a system designed to exploit small creators.

Then stop passing the deception down to impressionable young girls.

yassygirl · 2026-08-10T16:00:28+0100

noelleb said:
Then stop passing the deception down to impressionable young girls.

Easy for someone with a trust fund to preach ethics.

noelleb · 2026-08-10T16:00:46+0100

yassygirl said:
Easy for someone with a trust fund to preach ethics.

Honesty isn't a luxury item, Yassy. It's the baseline.

yassygirl · 2026-08-10T16:01:10+0100

noelleb said:
Honesty isn't a luxury item, Yassy. It's the baseline.

Fine. You want one tactic gone? Outrage marketing. Weaponizing scandals just to trend.

yassygirl · 2026-08-10T16:01:27+0100

yassygirl said:
Fine. You want one tactic gone? Outrage marketing. Weaponizing scandals just to trend.

On that, my dear, we actually agree. Shock value isn't chic.

When Does Fashion Marketing Cross the Line?

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