Cruelty is out of fashion

Wild animals used for fashion all endure a short life of objectification and cruelty before a brutal death.

Each year, millions of wild animals suffer through exploitation and slaughter for the profits of fashion brands that have not progressed to more innovative and humane fashion alternatives. 

Increasingly, fashion shows and brands are choosing to transition away from cruelty, enacting sustainability, social and animal welfare policies to keep up with growing consumer demand for more sustainable, ethical and animal-friendly fashion. 

Melbourne Fashion Week has been free of fur and exotic skin since 2018, and recently updated its policy. Meanwhile, Sydney's Australian Afterpay Fashion Week has no policies in place to protect wild animals. 

Disappointingly, of the four major international shows - London, New York, Milan and Paris - just London has banned fur. Even with the lack of action from many of the fashion weeks, fashion brands are implementing their own policies to protect wild animals.

To avoid becoming 'out of fashion', fashion week organisers need to keep up with the brands they exist to celebrate. 

Falling out of fashion

Sweden mink fur farm

Polling commissioned by World Animal Protection found that:

There is no way to transform a wild animal into a coat, bag or shoe without causing immense suffering.
  • over 65 percent of people believe that the farming and killing of wild animals for clothing and fashion accessories is unacceptable
  • over 72 percent say they would not buy clothing or accessories made from wild animal skin, fur or feathers
  • over half of people surveyed say they would unfollow a celebrity or influencer who promoted fashion made from wild animal skin, fur or feathers.

Consumer behaviour is changing as the public learns how animals are used and abused for fashion. Consumers are shifting towards brands which do not profit from animal cruelty. It’s time for the industry to align its practices with community expectations.

The trade of wild animals is cruel, unsustainable and unnecessary. Not only is it a source of immense suffering for millions of animals, it also puts our environment and human health at risk. 

The use of wild animals for fashion in dominated by three categories: the fur trade, the exotic skin trade and the feather trade. The wild animals most commonly exploited and slaughtered for their fur include mink, foxes, chinchillas and raccoon dogs. While, crocodiles, alligators, snakes, lizards and ostriches are farmed and slaughtered for their skin. Ostriches and peacocks are also exploited for their feathers.

Walking the walk

Fashion show runway