Popular British apparel brand Barbour, known for its iconic outerwear, says it’s removing down and mohair from its products, according to animal rights organization PETA UK, which announced the news on Instagram today.
“British brand Barbour are the latest to join the growing list of companies that are ditching down and mohair,” the group wrote on the post, explaining why down feathers are so unfriendly to birds. “Down – the feathers that some companies use to stuff jackets, duvets, pillows and sleeping bags – is often obtained by ripping out struggling geese’s feathers by the fistful, leaving open, bloody wounds. It’s agony for the birds. And given the many cosy alternative materials that work as well or better, it’s completely unnecessary, too.”
PETA recently launched a campaign asking homewares store Bed Bath & Beyond to also remove down items, such as pillows and comforters, from its store shelves. Vegan actress Mena Suvari lent her star power to the campaign: “You can count me among the loyal Bed Bath & Beyond customers who flock to your store for design and decor inspiration. But today, I’m urging you to consider doing a little renovation and modernization of your own — and moving beyond cruelty — by removing down from your shelves entirely and offering only down-alternative bedding and fabrics,” Suvari wrote in a letter to the chain.
Barbour now joins a number of brands also moving away from mohair, the wool that comes from long-haired Angora goats. ASOS recently announced plans to remove products made from mohair, as did Forever 21, TopShop, Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy. Iconic fashion brands including Versace and Gucci have also recently announced shifts away from fur. Once synonymous with Versace designs, Donatella Versace said in March that the luxury brand would be removing fur as she didn’t want to kill any more animals.
Leather, too, is seeing increasing competition from plant-based alternatives. Recently Hugo Boss announced the launch of a line of shoes made entirely from a leather-like textile that comes from pineapple skin. Apple peels have also been turned into a shoe leather; and in a recent interview with Bloomberg, Dan Schulman, CEO of PayPal, said the industry was rapidly changing, and that no one wants “dead cow wallets” anymore.
Image Source: Barbour
