Stella McCartney calls on fashion labels to go feather-free | Sustainability News UK

Sustainability advocate Stella McCartney has added feathers to her banned list and is urging international designers to sign PETA’s Feather-Free Pledge, committing not to use feathers in their collections.

This initiative follows PETA’s exposé revealing the harsh realities faced by birds in the feather industry, highlighting their “miserable life and violent death.”

In a series of new social media videos, McCartney aims to raise awareness among her millions of followers about the cruelty involved in feather production. She hopes these videos will inspire the fashion industry to embrace true creativity by using vegan materials that mimic the look, lightness, movement, and insulation of feathers.

McCartney stated, “Every year, the fashion industry plucks and kills millions of birds for their feathers, which is not only inhumane but also unnecessary. My Autumn 2024 collection demonstrates the desirability and possibilities of cruelty-free alternatives that are kind to animals and Mother Earth. I hope it inspires you to join me and PETA in pledging to end the use of feathers in fashion and beyond.”

Her collection features BioPuff, a material made from bulrushes that contribute to wetland regeneration in Cambridgeshire, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and boosts biodiversity.

PETA notes that alongside McCartney, top designers such as Felder Felder, Eirinn Hayhow, Richard Malone, Patrick McDowell, VIN + OMI, Pīferi, Sarah Regensburger, and Joshua James Small have already signed the pledge. Many other designers are also opting for luxurious faux feathers made from bamboo, recycled materials, and metals.