Copenhagen Fashion Week announced that it won’t admit exotic leather, fur and feathers starting from next year. It’s the first major fashion event that takes such a decision. In recent years, several brands and some minor fashion events already banned these controversial materials. It’s the case of Chanel, Burberry, and Melbourne, Helsinki and Stockholm fashion weeks. Still, crocodile and python bags and shoes remain popular.
But what makes exotic leathers different from the commoner ones, such as calf or sheepskin, still widely used in fashion all around the world? By the way, these are also being all the more often substituted with synthetical, ethical or at least recycled alternatives. Indeed, leather is one of the most suitable materials for creative recycling. Which, despite not being exactly cruelty free, at least reduces its environmental impact. However, the answer is “traceability”.
Not only, exotic species are nowadays less widespread than commoner farm animals, when not even endangered. Often it isn’t even possibile to trace the fur or feathers back to the specific animal it belonged to. This means that it’s impossibile to ascertain whether it was bred, hunted and/or killed with no ethical concern. For instance, animals should be raised in decent condition and put down painlessly.
Copenhagen Fashion Week included such ban into a broader sustainable program. Participants will also have to present products that were realised with sustainable materials and can be recycled. A small step towards a more ethical fashion.
