In an intervention on the eve of London Fashion Week, Caroline Rush accused Shein of selling 'poor quality' garments which may be thrown away before even being worn.
His words are unlikely to quell dissent at London Fashion Week with many believing that fast, cheap fashion from the likes of Shein threatens the £65billion UK industry.
Rush, who has led the influential fashion council for 15 years, added there is a risk of Shein 'causing much wider problems for the UK as a whole', including the impact on the environment of throwaway clothes.
The chief executive of the British Fashion Council is demanding scrutiny of Chinese clothing giant Shein's delayed £42billion stock market float.
Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary, last week appeared to support Shein's hopes, saying there is sufficient 'transparency and regulatory oversight' in London.
