Adding feathers to her list of banned materials, sustainability champion Stella McCartney has urged fellow international designers to sign PETA’s Feather-Free Pledge. This call to action follows an exposé by the animal rights group, revealing the harsh realities faced by birds exploited by the feather industry, where they endure both a miserable life and a violent death.
In a series of recently released social media videos, McCartney raises awareness among her millions of global followers about the suffering birds experience for the sake of fashion. Hoping her efforts will inspire designers to use vegan materials to recreate the look, lightness, movement, and insulation of feathers, McCartney launched her Autumn 2024 collection demonstrating the desirability and possibilities of cruelty-free alternatives that are kind to animals and Mother Earth.
The Autumn 2024 collection by McCartney features BioPuff, a material made from bulrushes that contributes to wetland regeneration in Cambridgeshire, helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions and boost biodiversity.
Alongside McCartney, top designers such as Felder Felder, EirinnHayhow, Richard Malone, Patrick McDowell, VIN + OMI, Pīferi, Sarah Regensburger, and Joshua James Small have already signed the Feather-Free Pledge, highlights PETA. Many other designers are opting for luxurious faux feathers made from bamboo, recycled materials, and metals, the organisation adds.
