Action at Fashion Week: Greenpeace challenges Chanel to zero deforestation and zero toxicity fashion
As part of its challenge to fashion, Greenpeace challenged Chanel just before the legendary brand’s show at the Grand Palais in Paris. Along one of the monument’s columns, Greenpeace activists unfurled a large banner reading “Chanel, de-pollute fashion!”, while other activists unfurled banners reading “Zero deforestation”, “Clean up fashion!” or “Chanel Toxic?”.
Chanel is not transparent about its environmental policy in terms of toxic chemical use, leather or paper sourcing. It is currently one of the worst-rated haute couture brands in Greenpeace’s “Fashion Duel” campaign.
Chanel is a legendary brand, avant-garde even in its origins, but for the time being it is burying its head in the sand and refusing to commit itself,” explains Jérôme Frignet, Forest Campaigner for Greenpeace France. Given its status, its worldwide reputation as a trendsetter, it should adopt the most fashionable attitude with environmentally-friendly supply and manufacturing chains that don’t pollute water or destroy tropical forests.”
Fashion Duel: haute couture scrutinized by Greenpeace
On February 7, Greenpeace launched the “Fashion Duel” ranking of haute couture, which can be viewed at http://fr.thefashionduel.com/.
This ranking assesses 15 major brands on three aspects of their supply and manufacturing chains: leather, packaging paper and the use of toxic chemicals. Brands were asked and ranked according to their transparency and willingness to make credible commitments to “detox” fashion whose raw materials do not contribute to deforestation.
“It’s unacceptable that brands as prestigious as Prada, Chanel or Hermès, for example, with such high margins on every item sold, don’t already have environmentally-friendly production lines, guaranteed Zero Deforestation or Zero Toxicity,” concludes Jérôme Frignet.
So far, only Valentino has made a firm commitment to zero deforestation and zero toxicity. Seven other brands have made partial commitments, such as Vuitton and Dior. The seven lowest-ranked brands, including Chanel, Hermès and Prada, stand out for their total lack of transparency and commitment to improving their environmental practices.
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