PETA “If it’s Taken From an Animal, it CANNOT be Humane” on Vegan Fashion Week
Courtesy of Alexx Mayes Instagram @AMVZ
On Wednesday October 5, 2022, the press release for Vegan Fashion Week was announced which stated that the event “will take place in Los Angeles on October 10-12, 2022”. The event was in collaboration with Ukrainian fashion designers such as Cherehnivska, Dzhus, and Gorohova.
The annual event has received lots of support since it was established in 2018. PETA, an animal rights organization, showed their support for the event via Twitter on October 11, 2022. PETA tweeted, “If it’s taken from an animal, it CANNOT be humane. We provided some thought-provoking insight into the ethics of fashion at #VeganFashionWeek”.
Courtesy of Vegan Fashion Week
Ashley Frohnert, PETA Director of Social Media, spoke on behalf of the organization to spread awareness on the importance of vegan fashion and how it relates to sustainability. She spoke of the power of the consumer and how brands are catering to the consumer’s wants and needs on vegan fashion. “We as consumers are telling them (fashion brands) that we are not going to buy their products unless they are made vegan, animal-friendly, and with sustainable materials,” stated Fronhnert.
Courtesy of Stella McCartney
Although many fashion brands are now starting to cater to vegan customers, some brands have always used eco-friendly vegan leathers in their designs. Stella McCartney is one of the most popular luxury brands that exhibit this. Stella McCartney has famously never used leather, feathers, fur, or skin since the brand was established in 2001. Although her brand isn’t 100% vegan, McCartney uses recycled cashmere and ethically sourced wool in her pieces. In her Summer 2022 collection, she debuted her vegan leather handbag made from Mylo mycelium, sourced from mushrooms.
Courtesy of Veganologie
Veganologie was one of the vegan brands featured at Vegan Fashion Week. Veganologie is a vegan and eco-friendly, high-end handbag and wallet brand. They advocate for sustainability and ethics stating, “We believe that sustainability not only applies to our materials or products but being ethical and mindful of all the members who work tirelessly to achieve the quality that we feel proud to share with you”. Veganologie uses polyurethane leather, and their faux suede is made of recycled plastic bottles.
This year’s Vegan Fashion Week was a major success. The event showcased many emerging and established vegan fashion designers and continued a conversation regarding the future of sustainability and the importance of vegan fashion.