Down and feathers will no longer be worn in Fall/Winter 2023, thanks to a French fashion label SMCP

January 4th, 2023

Millions of animals are ruthlessly killed every year to make garments out of wool, cashmere, mohair, fur, silk, leather, goose down, or down feathers for the fast fashion business. Animal byproducts and products have a terrible effect on the environment. They are harsh and immoral. Furthermore, the manufacturing of animal-derived commodities, such as wool, fur, and leather, contributes to climate change, land destruction, pollution, and water contamination in addition to inflicting pain and death on billions of animals every year. In order to improve the future and the fashion business, sustainable fashion is crucial. After all, sustainable fashion companies can lessen environmental harm, and support garment workers as well.

The real question is, can we wear warm, fashionable clothing without abusing animals for their feathers? Is it feasible to get influential fashion groups to stop? Absolutely, and thanks to a recent commitment from the French fashion label SMCP, PETA is celebrating a success in that regard! Read on to know more about the heartening move.

Image Source: PETA Asia

The reality of the cruel practices of sourcing feathers

In a study of down farms in China (where 80% of the world's down and feathers are produced), employees were observed standing on the delicate wings and necks of geese while ripping out handfuls of feathers. The birds were left bloodied and raw. The "Responsible Down Standard" (RDS), a certification scheme for down providers in Russia that supplies down to nations worldwide, was investigated by PETA Asia in 2022. It was discovered that geese were murdered with a blunt axe while still awake. A 2022 PETA Asia study into goose farms that adhere to the "Responsible Down Standard" revealed the slaughter of geese (RDS)

International certifications, such as the "Non Live-Plucked Products Guarantee" and the RDS, are there to encourage customers to purchase such goods; yet, they do not stop animal suffering.

Image Source: The Industry.Fashion

Down and feathers will no longer be worn in Fall/Winter 2023

Thanks to a French fashion label called SMCP whose tepresentatives reaffirmed their organization's commitment to eliminating all duck and goose feathers from its four brands by the fall/winter 2023 season in an email to PETA France. They said that over the past few seasons, they have started to transition each of their companies' products away from using feathers and down in favour of other materials. The organisation that owns the well-known labels Sandro, Maje, Claudie Pierlot, and Fursac stated to PETA France that it will no longer offer things produced with down or feathers after first banning fur and then exotic skins. This is wonderful news that will lessen the mistreatment and killing of birds for their feathers.

The down industry has been the subject of exposés by PETA that expose horrific practises at every level of manufacturing. This applies to "responsible" providers as well.

Embrace being humane and allow birds to maintain their feathers

Products created using feathers and down from birds that were killed cruelly or after being plucked alive are exported around the world and marketed to consumers who are unaware of the cruelty involved. As PETA exposés have demonstrated, purchasing products containing down, even if it is said to have been "responsibly produced," is a direct support of animal suffering. The decision by SMCP to discontinue selling feather-based items is fantastic news for birds, who will no longer have to undergo live plucking or killing in abhorrent conditions after a lifetime.

The manufacturing of feathers and down is exactly as cruel as that of fur, which has already been completely abandoned by the fashion industry, so PETA applauds SMCP for its thoughtful choice and urges other businesses to follow it.

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Act to Protect Ducks and Geese

Feathers are taken from living things, and it is wasteful, hurtful, and unethical to utilise them for fashion. Remember the birds who depend on their own feathers when considering the purchase of bedding, pillows, a down jacket, or a down sleeping bag and choose vegan alternatives instead. Due to the significant environmental impact of the livestock sector, vegan fashion goods are favoured not only for their support of animal liberation and rights but also because they are 'sustainable' alternatives. As previously said, all vegan items are made from plants. Therefore, during manufacture, no bug is crushed, no geese are slaughtered. They are also cruelty-free because they never undergo production-related animal testing. Consequently, they are not only cruelty-free but also environmentally friendly.

We can all lend a helping hand by requesting that the athletic apparel companies like lululemon and other brands that continues to conceal themselves behind the false RDS certification. Urge them to stop selling down for a better tomorrow and a sustainable and humane future for all of God’s creatures.