Paris: Animal rights activists from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), have disrupted Victoria Beckham’s fashion show during Paris Fashion Week to protest fashion’s use of animal skins.
During the event, a PETA activists wearing a t-shirt with the slogan “Animals aren’t fabric” and holding a sign that read “Viva vegan leather” briefly stopped the runway show, joining Beckham’s models on the catwalk. Victoria Beckham’s fashion brand avoids using fur or exotic skins, but Peta pointed out that some designs utilize leather.
Mimi Bekhechi, PETA’s European president, highlighted the brutality implicated in using animal skins for fashion. She urged Beckham to explore ethical and eco-friendly choices, such as high-end leather made from apples, grapes, pineapples, mushrooms, and other sustainable sources.
Bekhechi stated that, “No garment or accessory is worth violently slaughtering and skinning a sensitive and intelligent animal. We are urging Victoria Beckham to turn instead to the ethical and eco-friendly innovations available today, such as high-end leather made from apples, grapes, pineapples, mushrooms, and more.”
Victoria Beckham attended the show’s finale on crutches due to a foot injury. She wore a black protective boot that matched her outfit. Despite her limited mobility, she greeted attendees, including former Brazilian footballer Ronaldo, by briefly walking past the front row. She expressed her gratitude to the crowd for their support.
Campaigners from PETA, the animal rights charity, protested at global fashion events, including New York, London, and Milan, during the current fashion season. As a result of PETA activists causing a disruption in the fashion industry, it demonstrates that there is still an ongoing debate regarding animal rights in that industry.