Purveyor of quintessential British style Burberry is striding into Fashion Month with a good news story: the luxury fashion house will no longer use real fur or burn millions of dollars worth of unsold goods.
In July, the label caused controversy when news broke that it burnt clothes, accessories and perfume to a value of more than $50 million last year. Destroying unsold items is a common practice among high-end fashion houses – to prevent pieces being stolen or sold cheaply – but the environmental implications are staggering.
In 2018, waste (or anti-waste) is a fashion buzzword, with brands under pressure to forge sustainable and ethical practices.
Meanwhile, a host of up-and-coming fake fur labels beloved by the sartorial set suggest faux is the way to go (think Shrimps, Unreal Fur) – though some say its eco impact may be just as serious. Riccardo Tisci’s debut collection for Burberry later this month, says the brand, will be a (real) fur-free zone.
