London Fashion Week is taking a significant step by banning wild animal skins from 2025.
- The British Fashion Council’s new policy builds on their previous fur-free initiative.
- Key fashion figures see this decision as leading in ethical standards within the industry.
- Smaller fashion weeks globally have already adopted similar bans.
- The policy reflects growing environmental and social awareness within fashion.
The British Fashion Council (BFC) will expand its prohibition to include wild animal skins at London Fashion Week starting in 2025. This decision was announced by David Leigh-Pemberton, BFC’s deputy director of policy and engagement, during a speech to parliament. This marks an extension of the existing ban on fur, introduced last December.
From early 2025, London Fashion Week will require all participating brands to exclude real fur and exotic skins from their collections. Designers must adhere to these conditions to participate in the event. This policy makes London Fashion Week a pioneer among the ‘big four’ fashion weeks, surpassing the policies of events in Paris, Milan, and New York. It is noteworthy that smaller fashion weeks in Copenhagen, Berlin, and Melbourne have already enforced similar bans.
David Leigh-Pemberton stated, ‘The standards we apply to designers showing on the official schedule continue to evolve, and we are now actively engaging with designers and the wider fashion community to discuss our approach to feathers on the catwalk.’ This statement underscores the ongoing dialogue within the fashion industry regarding environmental and ethical practices.
Dr Charlotte Regan of World Animal Protection UK praised the council’s decision, highlighting its significance in communicating that using animal skins is both unethical and unnecessary. This viewpoint reflects a broader movement within the fashion industry towards responsible and ethical sourcing of materials.
London Fashion Week’s ban on wild animal skins signals a shift towards more ethical practices within the fashion industry.
