PETA has announced the winners of its annual Fashion Awards, which celebrates the brands and events that have made major statements for animals this year.
The fashion industry has come under scrutiny in previous years from animal rights campaigners, who criticise labels that insist on using real fur.
But 2018 saw many luxury labels abandon the practice once and for all, including Coach, Burberry, Michael Kors and Diane von Furstenberg, who were all named as winners in PETA’s biggest luxury fashion moment category for their actions.
ASOS was named the most progressive online platform by PETA in light of its announcement that it will introduce a ban on mohair, silk, feathers and cashmere products on its site.
Elsewhere, PETA’s most progressive fashion event of the year was awarded to Helsinki Fashion Week for its decision to ban leather from its catwalks as of 2019.
On the high street, faux fur label Ecopel was honoured with the innovation award for using recycled plastic bottles to produce its garments.
"Vegan living is now the fastest-growing lifestyle across all developed economies, and consumers are looking to purchase clothes and accessories that are consistent with their values for both animals and the planet," says PETA Director Elisa Allen.
"The fashion industry is increasingly embracing vegan fabrics, and the days of treating sentient beings as raw materials are numbered."
Other winners included Dr Martens, which was awarded for its extensive range of vegan shoes on the best vegan boot collection category, and Veja, which received the best vegan shoe collection prize for its vegan leather and organic cotton collection.
Meanwhile, London-based label Felder Felder took home the collaboration awardfor partnering with sustainable fashion label Ecoalf to produce a capsule collection of coats made from recycled materials; outerwear brand Save the Duck was awarded best down-free label for its recycled coats free of animal fillers; and Alexandra K won in the best vegan bags category for its innovative accessories made from apple leather, a sustainable material made in Italy that integrates organic apple peels into the skin of the material.
Faux fur label Jakke won the best wool-free collection award for its new range of knitwear that proudly proclaims to be entirely free from wool.
PETA, whose motto includes the line “animals are not ours to wear” is currently campaigning for high street brand Forever 21 to stop selling garments made with wool, the production of which involves harmful practices that are hugely detrimental to sheep, the organisation claims.
Ahead of Black Friday, PETA supporters gathered outside the label’s Oxford Street store in central London holding placards saying “Never21” and “stop selling cruel wool,” urging shoppers to boycott the brand.
“PETA is calling on caring people to give sheep some peace on Earth this Christmas by choosing only wool-free, vegan apparel,” Allen adds.
See the full list of Fashion Awards winners on PETA's website here.
