London Fashion Week To Ban Exotic Animal Skins

London Fashion Week (LFW) has become the first of the “Big Four” [ New York, London, Milan and Paris] to place a ban on the use of exotic animal skins, such as crocodile and snake. In December 2023, the British Fashion Council (BFC) formally banned fur at LFW.

According to The Business of Fashion, “Brands that want to appear on its official schedule will need to commit to not using either material in the collections they show at the event,” the British Fashion Council’s deputy director for policy and engagement, David Leigh-Pemberton, announced in a speech to Parliament this week.

In March of this year, Copenhagen Fashion Week announced a ban on the use of exotic skins and feathers. Melbourne and Berlin Fashion Weeks have already moved in this direction. LFW is known for showcasing emerging and new designers, many of whom do not use leather in their products, unlike the larger fashion labels. Some of the more established powerhouses of the fashion industry have gone fur-free in recent years. However, exotic animal skins, such as crocodile and snake, continue to be used in the creation of some of the most iconic luxury goods. For instance, one of the most hyped luxury launches was Pharrell Williams’ Louis Vuitton “Millionaire Speedy” bag, completely handmade with crocodile leather. Luxury brands such as Hermès, Kering, and LVMH have been known to use exotic leather.

The move comes as animal activists have been pushing to make the use of exotic animal skins a taboo, much like fur. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has been crashing runway shows and protesting outside fashion week venue against brands that have been using animal skin, leather and fur. “Tens of thousands of PETA supporters contacted the BFC, calling for this progressive move. We salute the compassionate British designers who helped usher in this policy,” said Peta VP of corporate projects Yvonne Taylor in a statement.

“This is a win for wild animals, our shared planet, and us all,” stated Collective Fashion Justice in a video.