Australian Fashion Week bans fur, exotic skins and feathers from runways

Australian Fashion Week has banned all wildlife-derived materials, including fur, exotic skins and feathers, the World Animal Protection Organisation announced on 13th May.

The new rule, put in place by the Australian Fashion Council with Collective Fashion Justice, takes effect immediately, making the current event the first to fully exclude wildlife materials from its shows.

Similar bans are already in place at Melbourne Fashion Week, the Melbourne Fashion Festival, and international events in Berlin, Copenhagen and London.

Suzanne Milthorpe, head of campaigns at World Animal Protection Australia, said: “This latest announcement is a reminder that the fashion industry can be a positive force for wildlife, changing the lives of crocodiles, ostriches, minks and more.

“We are seeing a domino effect of fashion events in Australia and around the world rejecting exotic skins, feathers and fur.

“With this new wildlife-friendly policy, Australian Fashion Week joins the growing list of runways embracing innovative, cruelty-free alternatives.”