Fashion Case Studies
The RSPCA has prepared these summaries from information supplied in spring 2007 by RSPCA Good Business Awards entrants.
Wildlifeworks
Wildlifeworks UK produces high quality, organic and fair trade clothing, with a focus on fashion and a mission to provide style with substance.
Due to animal welfare concerns, the company does not use real fur, leather or skins in its collections.
In Rukinga, Kenya, Wildlifeworks created an 80,000-acre wildlife sanctuary where elephants, cheetahs and 45 other large mammal species roam. In addition, the company has built and operates an eco-factory next to the sanctuary, where it employs members of the local community to create many of its products.
Wildlifeworks works closely with the local community in building schools and helping to educate youngsters and their elders about the positive effects of wildlife conservation.
Marks & Spencer
Marks & Spencer (M&S) believes that animals should not be bred and slaughtered specifically for the purpose of producing non-food products. M&S is currently tracing its global supply chains for a number of key animal-derived materials, e.g. leather and wool, to investigate the standards for animals in closer detail. It also has a strict policy not to sell certain skins such as snake and crocodile.
M&S continues to uphold its strict policy not to sell garments that are made with real fur. Its fur-free position has been communicated to all product teams and its suppliers with a code of practice being available via the company's quality management system.
M&S promotes its ethical stance through its "Plan A. Because there is no Plan B" campaign, and it is committed to improving animal welfare standards of non-food items through the same initiative.
Beyond Skin
Beyond Skin is an exclusive ethical footwear label producing beautiful, classic handmade shoes. Founded in 2001, Beyond Skin was created to combine style and fashion with a higher welfare lifestyle.
Due to animal welfare concerns, the company does not use real fur, leather or skins in its collections.
Working from developing trends, Beyond Skin's designs are both classic and trans-seasonal. Its collections are continually evolving, producing capsule ranges and exclusive one-off designs.
The company's luxury Sui Generis line is handmade in England and its more affordable Beyond Skin range is handmade in Spain.
