Copenhagen Fashion Week is poised to redefine the fashion landscape in 2025 with its groundbreaking decision to prohibit the use of exotic animal skins and feathers. The Denmark-based event recently unveiled its 2025 sustainability requirements, outlining stringent guidelines that underscore its commitment to ethical and environmentally responsible practices.
This significant development follows a series of prominent investigations conducted by various PETA entities, shedding light on the egregious cruelty inflicted upon animals within the exotic-skins and feather industries. Notably, a recent investigation by PETA Asia into Thailand’s exotic-skins industry exposed the harrowing treatment of thousands of snakes, revealing appalling practices such as confinement and brutal methods of slaughter, including bludgeoning with hammers and impalement with hooks while the animals are still conscious. The python farms investigated by PETA Asia’s team were found to supply skins to Caravel, a tannery owned by the fashion conglomerate Kering, which oversees renowned brands like Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.
The decision by Copenhagen Fashion Week to implement this ban represents a significant step forward in the industry’s ongoing evolution towards sustainability and ethical practices. Building upon its earlier prohibition on fur in 2022, the event’s latest initiative reflects a growing recognition among consumers and industry insiders alike that compassion is an integral aspect of modern fashion. It underscores the growing demand for ethically sourced and environmentally friendly vegan materials, signaling a shift towards a more conscientious approach to fashion production.
The inherent cruelty involved in the acquisition of exotic skins and feathers cannot be understated. From the barbaric practice of inflating snakes with air or water while they are still alive to the crude decapitation of lizards and the brutal treatment of crocodiles and alligators, these industries perpetuate unspeakable suffering for the sake of fashion.
Copenhagen Fashion Week’s bold stance sets a precedent for other fashion events worldwide, urging organizers to enact similar policies aimed at eliminating these inhumane practices. With influential names in the fashion industry, including Brooks Brothers, Chanel, and Vivienne Westwood, already committing to phasing out the use of exotic skins, the momentum for change continues to build.
In joining the ranks of Helsinki Fashion Week, Melbourne Fashion Week, and Stockholm Fashion Week in banning exotic skins, Copenhagen Fashion Week heralds a new era of compassion and responsibility within the fashion world. This collective effort represents a significant stride towards a more humane and sustainable future for the industry, marking the dawn of a fashion revolution guided by principles of compassion and ethics.
