Environmental Activists Protest against London Fashion Week

Environmental activist group Extinction Rebellion staged a demonstration urging the UK government to cancel London Fashion Week. To gather support, the group created a Facebook event inviting people to join the demonstration. On the second day of London Fashion Week in February, hundreds of people came to support the protest. As a result, the roads outside one fashion show venue became congested, infuriating a number of motorists. The protesters also brought placards and banners that called out the fashion industry for its continuous exploitation of the environment. According to the group, the fashion industry is responsible for over 5% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide and is considered as one of the most wasteful industries. Because of this, the group appeals to fashion brands to put an end to overproduction, overconsumption, and environmental exploitation. The group also asks the industry to use its power to discuss climate issues and make positive ecological changes. Prior to the protest, Extinction Rebellion sent a letter to the British Fashion Council, the government agency that regulates the fashion industry. The group demanded the creation of policies that will prevent the fashion industry from further destroying the environment. In response to the protest, the London Fashion Week event launched an exhibition highlighting “positive fashion.” This initiative prompted several designers to use sustainable resources and recycled materials. However, Extinction Rebellion believes the initiative was still inadequate, and completely canceling the London Fashion Week was the best thing to do. The group warned that it will resort to more drastic actions if the next London Fashion Week event, scheduled in September, is not canceled.