In a move praised by animal advocates, Copenhagen Fashion Week (CPHFW) has set a precedent by banning exotic skins and feathers from its catwalk.
The organisation already made waves by banning fur from its catwalks in August 2022 as part of its ongoing sustainability action plan.
As of next year, collections containing exotic skins or feathers will be banned from CPHFW’s runways.
The move has been seen by animal advocates as setting a precedent against using controversial animal skin.
It is now hoped that other Fashion Week organisers will follow suit in banning the skins from their catwalks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Fur, feathers and exotic skins are banned, and designers are expected to consider the 'five freedoms of animal welfare' when sourcing other animal-based materials. Photo © andersphoto via Adobe Stock
Sustainability at Copenhagen Fashion Week
Copenhagen Fashion Week has been described as being forward-thinking when it comes to issues like ethics and sustainability.
It has a list of sustainability requirements that participants have to follow, encouraging designers to reduce their environmental impact and consider animal welfare in their designs.
Among the minimum standards required, they say ‘designers must make “smart material choices”’.
This means a minimum of 50 per cent of their collections must be ‘either certified, made of preferred materials or new generation sustainable materials, upcycled, recycled or made of deadstock’, as well as being completely fur-free.
CPHFW also practices sustainability at its shows, avoiding single-use plastics and wasteful goodie bags while promoting organic, natural products.
ADVERTISEMENT
Along with avoiding banned animal products, designers must make 'smart material choices'. Designer: Liana Paberza, Alpha. Photo © James Cochrane for Copenhagen Fashion Week
PETA’s praise of CPHFW
A statement from PETA Vice President of Corporate Projects, Yvonne Taylor, said: “Skål to Copenhagen Fashion Week for raising the bar for other events by removing all exotic skins and feathers from its catwalks.
“This move is a logical evolution of the show’s ban on fur, introduced in 2022, and reflects what every stylish consumer has come to realise: compassion is always in fashion, ethical and environmentally friendly vegan materials are the future – and the future is now.
“Exotic skins and feathers are obtained through abhorrent cruelty. Snakes are pumped up with air or water while they’re still alive, and lizards are crudely decapitated.
“Workers ram metal rods down crocodiles’ spines and into alligators’ brains in an attempt to kill them and slit the throats of inquisitive baby ostriches when they’re just a year old.
“Now, all eyes are on other fashion week organisers, who must follow suit and immediately implement public policies against these unnecessary, unfashionable, and unethical materials.”
Want to build an ethical wardrobe but not sure how? Find out how to find the best ethical vegan fashion
Featured photo © James Cochrane for Copenhagen Fashion Week
