London Fashion Week is making a significant step forward in ethical and sustainable fashion by banning exotic animal skins from its shows, starting in 2025. This move positions London as the first of the “big four” fashion weeks—New York, London, Milan, and Paris—to introduce such a ban. It reflects growing pressure from animal rights activists and the wider industry’s shift toward more responsible materials.
This announcement was made by David Leigh-Pemberton, deputy director for policy and engagement at the British Fashion Council (BFC), and builds on the ban on fur, which was introduced in 2023. Designers at the event will no longer be able to use skins from animals like crocodiles, alligators, and snakes. London’s progressive stance on animal materials has set it apart from other major fashion weeks, especially Milan and Paris, where fur and exotic skins are still seen on the runway. The ban has been praised by animal rights organizations, with campaigners highlighting the cruelty involved in using exotic animal skins and the availability of alternative, animal-friendly materials.
Some are now turning their attention to the use of wild bird feathers, which are sometimes plucked from birds while they are alive, causing significant suffering. Feathers are a more common material in fashion and can be harder to distinguish between real and faux, presenting a challenge for future regulation.
The ban on exotic skins is part of a broader sustainability initiative from the BFC’s Institute of Positive Fashion, reflecting London’s growing commitment to ethical and sustainable practices in the industry. With emerging designers dominating London Fashion Week, this ban might be easier to implement compared to fashion weeks where luxury leather goods play a larger role, like in Milan. As London sets a new ethical standard, attention will be on other fashion capitals to follow suit, particularly as consumer demand for sustainability continues to rise
