By Sara Bright
Victoria Beckham is known for her chic and sophisticated style, but her latest show at Paris Fashion Week was met with criticism and controversy from animal rights activists, who stormed the runway to protest against her use of leather.
The 49-year-old designer, who rose to fame as a member of the Spice Girls, presented her autumn/winter 2024 collection on Friday, March 1, at the Grand Palais. The show featured a range of elegant and minimalist outfits, in shades of black, white, grey, and navy, with pops of red and yellow.
However, the show was interrupted by a group of protesters from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), who wore white T-shirts that read “Animals aren’t fabric” and “Turn your back on animal skins”. They also held signs that said “Viva vegan leather” and “Victoria Beckham: Stop using exotic skins”.
The protesters managed to get on the catwalk and walk alongside the models, before being escorted out by security. Some of the guests and journalists in the audience booed and clapped at the activists, while others remained silent or took pictures and videos.
Victoria Beckham, who appeared on crutches due to a foot injury, did not seem to be affected by the disruption, and smiled and waved at the crowd as she took her final bow. She was wearing a black protective boot on her left foot, which matched her all-black outfit.
Why Peta Targeted Victoria Beckham
Peta is a well-known animal rights organisation, that campaigns against the use of animals for food, clothing, entertainment, and experimentation. Peta is famous for its disruptive and provocative demonstrations, and often targets celebrities and fashion events to raise awareness and generate publicity.
Peta said that its protest against Victoria Beckham was not personal, but rather a general statement against the use of animal skins in the fashion industry. Peta’s European president, Mimi Bekhechi, said in a statement:
“No garment or accessory is worth violently slaughtering and skinning a sensitive and intelligent animal. We are urging Victoria Beckham to turn instead to the ethical and eco-friendly innovations available today, such as high-end leather made from apples, grapes, pineapples, mushrooms and more.”
Peta also pointed out that Victoria Beckham’s fashion brand does not use fur or exotic skins, such as crocodile, snake, or ostrich, but still uses leather, which is derived from cows, sheep, pigs, and other animals. Peta argued that leather production is cruel, wasteful, and harmful to the environment, and that there are many alternatives that are more sustainable and humane.
How Victoria Beckham Responded to Peta
Victoria Beckham has not publicly commented on the Peta protest, but she has previously expressed her views on animal welfare and sustainability. In 2019, she announced that her fashion brand would stop using exotic skins, following the example of other luxury labels, such as Chanel, Gucci, and Burberry.
She said in a statement at the time:
“As a business, we have been looking to action positive change for some time. We are happy to confirm that we will cease using exotic skins in all future collections as of our main autumn/winter 2019 ready-to-wear presentation. This decision reflects the wishes of not only the brand, but also that of our customers.”
Victoria Beckham has also been vocal about her support for veganism, and has revealed that she follows a mostly plant-based diet, along with her husband David Beckham and their four children. She has also praised vegan beauty products, and has launched her own cruelty-free and vegan makeup line, Victoria Beckham Beauty.
However, Victoria Beckham has not given up on leather completely, and has defended her choice to use it in some of her designs. She has said that she only uses leather from reputable and ethical sources, and that she tries to minimise the environmental impact of her production process.
She has also said that she respects the opinions and preferences of her customers, and that she offers a variety of options for different tastes and lifestyles. She has said:
“I think people have a choice. I think people have a choice in everything that they do. And I think that it’s important to offer that choice. And I think that it’s important to offer that choice in a responsible way.”
The Impact of Peta’s Protest on Victoria Beckham’s Brand
Peta’s protest against Victoria Beckham has generated a lot of attention and discussion, both online and offline. Some people have praised Peta for raising awareness and challenging the status quo, while others have criticised Peta for being rude and disrespectful.
Some people have also expressed their support for Victoria Beckham, and have complimented her for her style and professionalism. Others have questioned her ethics and credibility, and have urged her to stop using leather and switch to vegan alternatives.
The impact of Peta’s protest on Victoria Beckham’s brand is hard to measure, as it may depend on various factors, such as the size and loyalty of her customer base, the quality and appeal of her products, and the trends and demands of the fashion market.
However, one thing is certain: Peta’s protest has put Victoria Beckham in the spotlight, and has made her and her brand a topic of conversation. Whether this will benefit or harm her brand in the long run remains to be seen.
