Chanel ‘saving countless animals from suffering’ by becoming first leading luxury fashion house to shed crocodile and snake skins
Veteran designer Karl Lagerfeld says decision is ‘a free choice’ and the likes of Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton have been urged to consider position by animal rights groups
Chanel is saving “countless animals a miserable life and a violent, painful death” with its decision to become the first luxury fashion house to turn its back on exotic animal pelts, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta).
Head of fashion Bruno Pavlovsky confirmed Chanel “would no longer use exotic skins in our future creations”, saying it was becoming more difficult to source high-quality pelts ethically.
Handbags, coats and shoes made from snake, alligator and stingray skins command premium prices, with Chanel handbags reportedly selling for up to US$10,300.
Python skin bags were also removed from Chanel’s website, although second-hand bags were still on sale for more than US$6,250 via online resellers.
“Green is the new black. Ethical and sustainable is the new cool,” said David Yeung, founder of Green Monday and Hong Kong’s avid climate change advocate.
“It is up to the brands to choose whether they want to take the lead in this movement or be perceived as a follower or laggard.
Chanel has long been in the forefront of fashion. Their decision will surely trigger a new wave of positive and much overdue changes in the fashion industry.”
Animals rights groups cheered the move, with Peta and the Humane Society International (HSI) claiming that the iconic house founded by Coco Chanel was also renouncing the use of fur.