Could it be that British fashion is heading towards becoming a wildlife-free zone? Well, the British Fashion Council’s Deputy Director of Policy & Engagement, David Leigh-Pemberton, announced in Parliament that London Fashion Week’s fur-free policy has been extended to include a ban on wild animal skins.
David Leigh-Pemberton highlighted the “constructive challenges” made to the British Fashion Council (BFC) by organisations like Collective Fashion Justice and Fur Free Britain.
The ban will come into force from London Fashion Week in early 2025 and all future London Fashion Week events will prohibit the use of both fur and wild animal skins.
Emma Hakansson, Founding Director of Collective Fashion Justice, said: “London Fashion Week is the first of the ‘big four’ Fashion Weeks to prohibit both fur and wild animal skins, and we celebrate this important progress. We also know there is more to do, continuing the conversation on feathers towards what we hope will be a totally wildlife-free policy.
“For decades, brands have banned fur, stating an opposition to killing animals specifically for fashion. This is exactly what happens to the crocodiles, snakes, ostriches and other wild animals skinned and plucked for fashion too, making bans on these skins and feathers consistent with an existing and widely agreed upon ethical premise.”
These organisations have also helped to deliver wildlife-free policies across Copenhagen, Berlin and Melbourne Fashion Weeks.
Dr Charlotte Regan, Wildlife Campaign Manager at World Animal Protection UK, added: “The British Fashion Council’s announcement that London Fashion Week is now officially free from wild animal skins sends an important message throughout the global fashion industry that exploiting animals for their skins is both unethical and unnecessary.
“Millions of animals continue to suffer and die for fashion when there are so many innovative and exciting animal-friendly materials designers and clothing companies can choose to create with instead. With both fur and now wild animal skins banned from London Fashion Week, our attention turns to the use of wild bird feathers in fashion.”
