Ahead of World Animal Day, PETA India conducted a talk session on 3rd October 2019, at JD Institute of Fashion Technology in Delhi to urge design students to take fashion into the future by using only eco-friendly fabrics rather than leather, down feather, wool, or other materials cruelly derived from animals.
Generally, animals killed for leather are often transported in trucks in masses, and their bones break, or they die en route. Sheep are commonly beaten, stamped on, and mutilated for wool. Most animals killed for their fur like rabbits spend their lives inside cramped cages, where they frantically pace back and forth, gnaw on the bars, and mutilate themselves. And in the down industry, birds’ throats are slit and some of the animals are scalded to death in defeathering tanks, often while still conscious. Silkworms used for silk are boiled or gassed alive inside their cocoons, which causes the cocoons to unravel so that workers can obtain the silk threads.
Leather made up of animal skin can easily be replaced by non-animal materials – such as pineapple leaves, grapes, apples, mushrooms, or cork and countless other plant-based and recycled materials.
“Awareness has the power to create a change. With great design come great responsibilities, it is the reason why no animal-derived materials are ever used in the graduating collections of our students. If we want to abolish cruelty in the animal world, let’s start the change by educating students,” said Rupal Dalal, Executive Director, JD Institute of Fashion Technology.
