Burberry has confirmed that it will no longer use exotic skins in its collections.
Exotic skins include any skins that do not come from cattle. Snakes, crocodiles, alligators, and ostrich skin are a few examples. But due to animal welfare concerns and rising pressure from activists, a number of companies have banned their use in recent years.
“During Burberry’s annual meeting last year, PETA UK asked when it would make good on its commitment to be a force for good in the world by banning exotic skins, and we’re delighted that after years of pressure from PETA entities around the world, that day is today,” said PETA UK’s vice president, Mimi Bekhechi, in a statement.
Burberry joins the likes of Calvin Klein, Chanel, Victoria Beckham, Jil Sander, Mulberry and Vivienne Westwood in banning exotic skins.
The British fashion house already took the step to ban fur and angora back in 2018 after over a decade of campaigning by PETA.
Julie Brown, Chief Operating and Financial Officer, Burberry said, “We remain resolute in our commitment to make a positive difference to people, planet, and communities, and the strong foundations we’ve set underpin our new ambition to be climate positive by 2040.”
The future of fashion is vegan, and those failing to embrace that will be hung out to dry, like yesterday’s laundry, Bekhechi added.
The move follows a recent investigation by PETA Asia into the exotic skins industry, which found animals used for the production of luxury products were experiencing inhumane conditions and often extreme violence.
The organization said it will continue calling on other fashion houses to make the same move to animal-free materials.
