Title: Animal Rights Activists Disrupt Victoria Beckham’s Paris Fashion Week Show, Protest against Use of Animal Products
Victoria Beckham’s highly-anticipated Paris Fashion Week show faced an unexpected interruption as animal rights activists boldly joined her models on the runway to voice their concerns regarding Beckham’s brand’s continued use of animal products such as leather.
During the fashion show on Friday, protesters wearing white vests emblazoned with messages like “turn your back on animal skins” and “animals aren’t fabric” walked alongside the models, carrying signs bearing the message “Viva vegan leather.” The demonstrators were promptly escorted off the catwalk by Website security personnel.
Animal rights organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) stated that while Beckham’s brand has taken a stand against using fur and exotic skins in its collections, it still embraces the use of leather, including calfskin.
PETA Vice President for Europe Mimi Bekhechi released a statement, expressing her disappointment over the brand’s reliance on animal products and urging Beckham to explore the ethical and eco-friendly alternatives currently available:
“No garment or accessory is worth violently slaughtering and skinning a sensitive and intelligent animal. We are urging Victoria Beckham to turn instead to the ethical and eco-friendly innovations available today, such as high-end leather made from apples, grapes, pineapples, mushrooms, and more.”
PETA activists have previously disrupted the runways of Coach in New York, Burberry in London, and Fendi in Milan to raise awareness about animal cruelty within the fashion industry.
Despite the disruption, Beckham successfully completed her autumn/winter 2024 collection showcase. The collection featured various styles such as sheer dresses, garments with sculpted curved hems and necklines, and boxy blazers. At the show’s conclusion, a visibly injured Beckham made her way down the runway using crutches. Her husband David later revealed that the injury was caused by an accident at the gym.
