Cape Town, 17 July 2023 – A new two-part report series compiled by global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS shows the true costs that animals and the environment pay for the use of animals in fashion. Animal-derived materials (ADMs) such as wool, fur and down are widely perceived as being 'natural', yet the production of these materials can release highly toxic chemicals into the environment and causes major land use change. All this, while at the same time causing severe animal welfare implications.

Taming Fashion reveals that while fashion must drastically reduce production overall, material choice also matters. Thankfully 'Next-Gen' and recycled materials are becoming more common place, but consumers are often unaware of what to look for. This report series aims to catalyse brands and consumers to think beyond industry spin and choose a future where animals are not exploited while fashion conscious folks can still 'dress to impress'.

Not only since the launch of the documentary Slay!, which examines the ruthless exploitation of animals for fashion, the industry has indisputably faced significant criticism. Poor working conditions in low-income countries, environmental issues, and severe violations against animal welfare have brought the industry’s shortcomings to the forefront.

The environmental impact of ADMs, also in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, in comparison to similar materials is often the worst. Furthermore, practices such as mulesing, live-plucking, and fur farming continue to pose inherent risks to animal welfare, calling for a fundamental change of the use of animals in fashion.

Despite these daunting facts, many brands remain unaware of the numerous negative implications of using ADMs, while many others maintain the myth of ADMs being merely a by-product of the meat and dairy industry.

Jessica Medcalf, animal welfare in fashion expert at FOUR PAWS says: "The idea that animal-derived materials are merely a by-product is factually incorrect and highlights the fashion industry’s attempt to absolve itself of responsibility for using five billion animals annually. Fashion and food are systematically interlinked. ADMs are, in fact, valuable primary and co-products."

While there is much that brands can and should do to help improve the conditions for animals used in their supply chains, ultimately, reducing use of animal-derived materials will have the most significant impact for animals, biodiversity and our climate.

A YouGov poll, commissioned by FOUR PAWS in 2021, suggests that consumers are increasingly aware of the negative implications of ADMs (64%), while choices tend to lean towards more animal-friendly alternatives (13% increase in consumers seeking vegan fashion since the pandemic). Some brands such as Stella McCartney and Pangaia are already showcasing innovative textiles, e.g. bio-based faux fur or faux down made from fermented plant fibres.

• Love pre-loved! Try the 80:20 rule. 80% pre-loved and 20% new and kind
• Look for animal-free biobased or recycled materials, like shoes made from mushrooms!
• Go for products made from waste, like discarded fishing nets and plant waste
• Be a protector of oceans and rivers by washing less, spot cleaning more and using microfibre collection washing bags
• Speak up. Tell your friends and let your favourite brands know that you want more animal-friendly fashion!
• Pledge to Wear it Kind and learn more at wearitkind.four-paws.org.za
  
   

Background

• The production of animal-derived materials goes hand in hand with global meat production, responsible for 16,5 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, due to being taken from livestock who emit large quantities of methane during digestion.
• Fur farming is inherently cruel, with wild animals being crammed into little cages. No fur animal welfare certification initiative can provide animals on fur farms with a life worth living.
• Sheep in wool supply chains are regularly subjected to mutilations such as mulesing  and castration without adequate pain relief as well as to stressful shearing practices, and long-distant transport.
• Geese and ducks continue to be at risk of live-plucking and force-feeding in down supply chains. M a ny also suffer for extended periods during poorly managed slaughter systems.
• Next-gen materials tend to have a lower environmental impact and an almost non-existent animal welfare risk as these materials effectively de-couple animal suffering and fashion. Today, well over 100 leading brands are creating with next-gen materials, including Adidas which made boxing gloves from Desserto®, ‘cactus leather’, Hermes making bags out of MycoWorks Mycelium, Hugo Boss made a shoe design which included Piñatex®, as well as Gucci, H&M, Reformation, Stella McCartney and UGG, just to name a few.

Key next-gen alternatives to ADMs currently in market include: 

• Faux Fur: Plant-based ingredients and microbe fermentation processes, or recycled PET
• Faux Wool: Made from blends, such as the fibre of Calotropis Gigantea bush mixed with cotton, or manufactured through fermentation of plant-based ingredients by specially designed microbes which produce polymers that can be spun into yarn
• Faux Down: Made from Kapok seed fibre, or blends made with wildflowers or recycled insulative fabrics

MIOMOJO Srl SB is a Benefit Company and a certified B Corp based in Bergamo, Italy. Founded in 2012 by Claudia Pievani, it designs and produces cruelty-free fashion accessories with the aim of not harming animals, humans, or our beautiful planet. MIOMOJO kindly donated their time and resources to help create a flyer, featuring next-gen, animal-free and environmentally preferrable materials, to showcase these as well as help to promote interest in the findings of FOUR PAWS Taming Fashion report series.