Why Wool Became a Flashpoint at New York Fashion Week
An altercation between CFDA president Steven Kolb and PETA protesters has become the week’s biggest news. Behind the scandal is a wider debate about why a material many view as a sustainability hero should be so controversial.
At New York Fashion Week, animal rights activists clashed with industry insiders over the use of wool, marking a significant turning point in the ongoing debate surrounding animal-based materials in fashion. The president of the trade body faced criticism after physically intervening to restrain activists during a runway show at the Cos fashion event. Peta's founder, Ingrid Newkirk, who has been campaigning against fur for four decades, now believes the tide may be turning against this particular material.
While the war against fur seems to be nearing its conclusion, the struggle to replace wool presents a more formidable challenge. As consumer interest in natural materials like cotton and wool surges, driven in part by concerns over the health impacts of synthetic alternatives such as polyester, fashion brands are grappling with the complexities of sourcing sustainable alternatives.
Shayeza Walid, a Senior Editorial Associate at The Business of Fashion focusing on the environmental impact of the industry, notes that the shift away from synthetics is being driven by both progressive activists and political conservatives.
Written by urgent.news from Business of Fashion's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
