The Rainforest Action Network (RAN) has protested against 15 apparel brands including Ralph Lauren, Prada, LVMH, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Vince, Guess, Velvet, L Brands, Forever 21, Under Armour, Footlocker, Abercrombie and Fitch, GAIAM and Beyond Yoga accusing them of irresponsible fibre sourcing.
RAN protesting during the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Fashion Awards at Lincoln Center in New York said that these brands are manufacturing merchandise at the cost of forest destruction, human rights abuses and climate pollution.
The organisation demanded that these companies must take responsibility for their supply chains, identify and eliminate bad actors, and develop strong, time bound commitments to protect forests and human rights. RAN accused that the global expansion of mega-plantations for the production of pulp for fabrics is making negative impact on the indigenous and forest-dependent communities. Illegal land grabbing according to RAN has become another major concern.
