Animal rights group PETA has urged the co-chairs of the upcoming Met Gala – Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, singer Dua Lipa, actress Penelope Cruz, actress and screenwriter Michaela Coel and tennis pro Roger Federer – to ask designers to wear fur, exotic leather and… especially to avoid feathers. As these have been a frequent sight on runways and red carpets lately, PETA expects the popular Met Gala to be no exception.
A recent PETA investigation into the feather industry, including ostrich farming and killing, revealed that the animals are often plucked alive, shortening their lifespan from up to 40 years to just a year. Other birds such as pheasants, turkeys, peacocks and ducks fare no better, which has led to many major brands and retailers such as SMCP going feather-free.
“It’s time designers got more creative – that’s what fashion should be about – and stopped relying on birds and other animals for their designs, which suffer terribly,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk in a statement. “PETA hopes the Met Gala hosts will show compassion for all animals by urging designers to stick to fabulous featherless materials, faux fur and faux fur.”
The theme of this year’s Met Gala is “In Honor of Karl,” a tribute to Karl Lagerfeld. Although Lagerfeld himself was famous for using animal skins and products, his brand banned fur in 2019 (the same year the designer passed away) and exotic leather in 2020.
Using feathers is cruel and pollutes the environment
Going without feathers is also good for the environment, as producing animal-derived materials requires toxic chemicals and contributes to climate change, soil devastation and water pollution – “to a far greater extent” than producing vegan materials, e.g PETA emphasizes.
In a letter signed by Newkirk to the five co-chairs, PETA cites the event’s popularity and pioneering role as the change it could bring: “The famous people who are in the spotlight at this wonderful event are doing a tremendous audience impact, so we ask that you implement a policy that allows designers to use only vegan feathers, faux fur, and exotic prints – for the benefit of animals and the environment.”
It’s not unlikely that this year’s presenters will sympathize with the cause, as most support them in their lives: Lipa, for example, prefers faux fur and has already been spotted in vegan creations by Stella McCartney, while Federer launched his first vegan sneaker with the Swiss performance running brand On designed. Cruz even appeared in a PETA anti-fur ad in 2018, and Coel is vegan.
However, only the future will tell what happens at this year’s Met Gala and whether PETA’s letter can sway potential feather and fur wearers. However, socialite Kim Kardashian (who describes herself as “largely plant-based”) may have made a breakthrough impact at last year’s Met Gala when she appeared in a vintage dress appeared, which was once worn by Marilyn Monroe. On May 1st we will know if there will be imitators.