Victoria Beckham becomes latest designer to ban exotic skins and furs from her collections

The brand says the decision "reflects the wishes" of its customers

Sarah Jones
Tuesday 12 February 2019 06:29 EST
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Victoria Beckham has banned exotic skins from her collections
Victoria Beckham has banned exotic skins from her collections (Getty Images)

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Victoria Beckham has become the latest designer to ban exotic skins from her collections.

The 44-year-old’s company issued a statement on Monday revealing her eponymous fashion line would no longer feature exotic skins in a bid to “reflect the wishes” of its customers.

“As a business, we have been looking to action the use of more ethically sourced products that have less environmental impact for some time,” a Victoria Beckham brand spokesperson told WWD.

“We are happy to confirm that we will cease using exotic skins in all future collections as of our main autumn/winter 2019 ready-to-wear presentation. This decision reflects the wishes of not only the brand, but also that of our customers.”

Despite never using fur in its designs, Beckham’s label has sold snakeskin handbags and shoes.

The brand says its ban will commence from Autumn Winter 2019 onwards and that it will take some time for existing goods to leave the distribution network entirely.

The announcement has been praised by animal rights organisation PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

Behind every crocodile, alligator, snake, or lizard handbag or pair of shoes is a violent death,“ says PETA director Elisa Allen.

”Victoria Beckham's decision to ban exotic skins will spare countless remarkable animals immense suffering, and PETA calls on other luxury brands to follow her kind example.“

Beckham’s decision comes just two months after Chanel announced it would no longer use exotic skins or fur in its future designs ahead of its pre-fall Métiers d’Art show in December.

The designer also joins the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Diane Von Furstenberg who have also pledged not to use fur and exotic skins in their collections.

While there has been a shift in tolerance against animal cruelty in recent years with brands like Versace, Michael Kors, Gucci and Burberry all pledging to ban fur, these brands continue to produce products made from exotic skins.

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