After an investigation by PETA Asia, the organization called out the leaders of LVMH and Kering for their cruel practices on animals.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has been successful in getting many luxury groups to stop using fur and exotic skins.
Now, following a recent PETA Asia investigation, the organization has appealed to the executives of Kering and LVMH in letters dated Monday to the presidents of both groups. PETA’s president, Ingrid Newkirk, asked them to stop using exotic animal skins.
In the letter addressed to the president of Kering, she congratulated them on stopping the use of fur but then questioned the “violent and unquestionably cruel way” in which lizards are killed for accessories, including Gucci, based on an investigation by PETA Asia. “No bag, belt or wallet is worth such pain and suffering, especially since your designers have access to the most advanced and beautiful leathers.”
As for LVMH, PETA claims that workers at the slaughterhouses that supply LVMH have inflated pythons, among other allegations of “indefensible suffering.” It also refers to an earlier allegation that crocodiles were crammed into a confined space for months in one part of LVMH’s supply chain in Vietnam. Anonymous experts who saw the PETA video said that the practices observed appeared to be broadly in line with international animal welfare standards.
Both companies responded to the allegations on Thursday and stressed their commitments to traceability and animal welfare standards. Kering was further encouraged by PETA via their Fashion Awards 2021, unveiled on December 8, 2021. In particular, the group received the “Greatest Fur-Free Moment” award after the group banned fur from all of its brands. Gucci, a brand of the Kering group won the innovation award with Demetra, the “vegetable leather” containing wood compounds.
For its part, LVMH cited its 28-year commitment to the highest standards in sourcing these materials, prioritizing animal welfare, species conservation and the utmost respect for the environment and local communities. As of 2019, LVMH has also introduced a “Life 360” animal sourcing charter to assess its commitments to apply to all its brands and says it is “firmly committed to material traceability.”
A PETA spokeswoman said the organization has not received a response from the two luxury groups and the organization is planning protests in various cities soon.
Read also > THE KERING GROUP WILL NO LONGER USE FUR AS OF 2022
Featured photo : © Gucci
