Wednesday 7 October 2009
ANIMAL WELFARE IS THE FASHIONABLE CHOICE
The RSPCA reveals the fashion winners of the 2009 Good Business Awards
George at ASDA is celebrating after winning this year's RSPCA Good Business Award for large fashion company.
Alongside them on the winner's podium is vegan shoe boutique, Neon Collective who won the small fashion company category for its high fashion heels with an animal welfare conscience and dynamic approach to challenging perceptions of vegan shoes. High street favourite, New Look, and surf brand Finisterre have also been highly commended for their innovation and dedication to ethical sourcing and animal welfare.
In addition, Marks and Spencer was also presented with a commitment award for its uncompromising dedication to animal welfare within its fashion lines.
The awards, presented at an elegant ceremony at One Marylebone in London, were judged by an independent panel of industry experts2 based on criteria set out by the charity.3 "This year's large company award winner shows that there is a real commitment within the industry to improve animal welfare, and it's reassuring to see big brands at the forefront of this change," said Wayne Hemmingway, one of the fashion judges.
"George at ASDA has gone from a standing start to ensuring that animal welfare is at the core of its business. This company isn't just paying lip service to the issue of animal welfare, but is working collaboratively with its suppliers to ensure animal friendly policies are common practise. As market leaders within the Wal-Mart group it is great to see that their pioneering policies will have a global impact.
Supported by high street staples such as New Look and Marks and Spencer, it is clear the large multiples are finally taking a good look at this issue and taking action."
It's not just big brands who can drive change however - Finisterre come highly commended for their impressive style-conscious range of outdoor clothing. When using Merino wool they ensure it has come from sheep that have not been subjected to mulesing*.
The RSPCA Good Business Awards were set up five years ago, to encourage companies to adopt animal welfare-friendly policies. In this way they could reflect the concern of their customers and in turn reap financial and moral benefits.
David Bowles, Head of External Affairs at the RSPCA said: "This year's winners, and the achievements of those companies commended for their dedication to animal welfare, are a clear indication that companies are responding to the shift away from disposable fashion and towards responsible consumerism.
"The animal welfare credentials of the items consumers buy is becoming increasingly important, and it is great to see some of the biggest fashion brands on the high street responding to this. These companies, who are striving to implement exceptional welfare standards such as George at ASDA, deserve our recognition as they set the standard for others to work towards."
For media enquiries, please contact Vaneetha Balasubramaniam or Nicki Akers at 77PR on 0207 492 0977. Email vaneetha.b@77pr.co.uk or nicki.akers@77pr.co.uk or the RSPCA press office on 0300 123 0244 or press@rspca.org.uk.
Find out more about this year's winners.
Find out how your company can be part of the RSPCA Good Business Awards 20010
Notes to editors:
1. 1.The fashion category is in association with Drapers Magazine
2. The independent panel of cosmetics industry judges comprised: Lisa Armstrong, Times journalist; designer Wayne Hemingway, founder of Red or Dead; and Shelly Vella, Fashion Director of Cosmopolitan
3. Fashion entrants were judged on the basis of their practices in the following areas:
- Commitment to not using or selling Karakul lambskin pelts
- Fur-free policies
- Policies on the sale of exotic skins
- Policies on the sourcing of merino wool. *Mulesing is the cutting away of skin from around the sheep's rump to cut down on the likelihood of fly strike.
- Sourcing and traceability of leather including cow, sheep or pig hide
- Innovation over the past 12 months in relation to animal welfare
- Company aspirations regarding animal welfare
- Labelling and communicating policies to customers
4. RSPCA Good Business Awards Fashion Finalists 2009:
- George at ASDA
- Marks and Spencer
- New Look
- Neon Collective
- Finisterre
- Izzy Lane
5. To contact the Fashion Winners:
- Finisterre - Ernest Capbert on 01872 554481 or email ernie@finisterreuk.com
- George at ASDA - Leah Watson on 0113 2418369 or email leah.watson@asda.co.uk
- Marks and Spencer - Tania Littlehales on 0208 718 2098 or email tania.littlehales@marks-and-spencer.com
- Neon Collective - Clare Childs on 01273 231 619 or email tclare@neoncollective.com
- New Look - Peter Robinson on 0207 659 5933 or email peter.robinson@newlook.co.uk
About the Good Business Awards
The RSPCA Good Business Awards were set up in recognition of the achievements of companies in the cosmetics, fashion and food industries to attain higher standards of animal welfare by implementing sustainable policies and practices.
The RSPCA is pleased to announce The Independent as the official media partner for the Supermarket of the Year People's Choice award of the 2009 Good Business Awards.
Pubs and restaurants compete to be named the UK's most ethical eateries
Cosmetic giants battle it out to be named the UK's most animal-friendly cosmetics company
High street giants battle it out to be named the UK's most animal-friendly fashion retailer
