London Fashion Week is taking a significant step towards ethical fashion by banning wild animal skins from 2025.
- The British Fashion Council (BFC) will enforce this ban, extending its existing fur-free policy.
- This decision marks London as the first of the big four fashion weeks to implement such a ban.
- Other fashion weeks, like those in Copenhagen and Berlin, have already adopted similar measures.
- The fashion industry responds to growing environmental and social concerns with this move.
London Fashion Week is setting a strong precedent in the fashion world by banning wild animal skins starting in 2025, aligning with its previous fur-free stance. The British Fashion Council (BFC) will implement this forward-thinking policy as part of its ongoing efforts to promote ethical fashion practices.
Deputy Director of Policy and Engagement at BFC, David Leigh-Pemberton, announced this ban during a parliamentary address, highlighting it as an evolution in their standards for designers participating in the event. By enforcing this ban, London Fashion Week will distinguish itself as the first major international event to reject both fur and exotic skins, ahead of other prestigious fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, and New York.
The initiative follows the example set by smaller fashion weeks, such as those held in Copenhagen, Berlin, and Melbourne, which have already moved towards banning wild animal skins. This shift reflects an industry-wide response to the increasing environmental and social concerns surrounding the use of animal-derived materials in fashion.
World Animal Protection UK praised the move, with Dr. Charlotte Regan stating that the BFC’s announcement sends a potent message worldwide about the ethical and unnecessary nature of exploiting animals for their skins. The endorsement from such organisations underscores the importance and impact of the BFC’s decision.
The discussion on ethical materials continues, as Leigh-Pemberton mentioned that the BFC is also engaging with designers and the broader fashion community regarding the use of feathers on catwalks. This ongoing dialogue is part of the broader context in which the fashion industry is reassessing its impact on the environment and social values.
London Fashion Week’s ban on wild animal skins marks a pivotal shift towards sustainability in fashion, setting a benchmark for global industry standards.
