The Australian Fashion Council has introduced a groundbreaking policy banning the use of fur, wild-animal skins, and feathers at Australian Fashion Week (AFW). Effective immediately, the 2025 AFW will feature a wildlife-free runway, marking a significant step toward ethical and sustainable fashion.
Developed in partnership with Collective Fashion Justice and World Animal Protection, this policy ensures that animals such as crocodiles, foxes, and exotic birds will no longer be exploited in the event’s fashion displays. The move aligns with rising public demand for compassionate fashion choices and reflects the collective voice of thousands of Australians advocating for cruelty-free practices.
“This latest announcement is a reminder that the fashion industry can be a positive force for wildlife, and change the lives of crocodiles, ostriches, minks and more. We are seeing a domino effect of fashion events around Australia and the world rejecting exotic skins, feathers and fur. With this new wildlife friendly policy, Australian Fashion Week have joined the growing list of runways that are embracing innovative alternatives to cruelty,” said Suzanne Milthorpe, head of campaigns at World Animal Protection Australia.
The policy builds on similar commitments made by other major fashion events, including Melbourne Fashion Week, Melbourne Fashion Festival, and international runways in Berlin and Copenhagen, signaling a growing shift within the global fashion industry.
Animal rights organizations, such as PETA, have been at the forefront of campaigning for this change, celebrating this milestone as a pivotal victory for wildlife and cruelty-free fashion.
