FashionUnited.co.uk Britains Fashion Platform

Anti-fur activists stage fashion show

Anti-fur activists have put their pie-throwing antics aside to stage a fashion show in New York, showing clothes made from alternative materials including recycled bicycle tires and clingy latex. Sponsored by PETA, a group known for disturbing fashion shows to protest the use of fur, the design team of Gaelyn and Cianfarani played up street-tough and Gothic-inspired looks that more than hinted at bondage and saedo-masochism.

Their laced-up harness tops were made of strips of recycled bicycle inner tubes, as were short skirts of rubber flounces or rubber strips alternating with sexy black lace. Biker-style jackets were made of latex, sliced into a fringe at the back, while skirts and pants were made of recycled rubber cut into floral designs. Tops were revealing halters, high-necked rubber and lace or open in back with criss-crossed straps.

The shiny latex gowns in brilliant copper, plum and purple were body-hugging, leaving little to the imagination and unforgiving to anything but the most perfectly toned figures, with corset tops, ruffles and open backs. Even the footwear -- spiked high-heel boots, strappy sandals and ankle boots -- was leather-free. The design team sought out alternatives to leather and animal skins, said PETA vice president Dan Mathews in a statement. "You can create looks that kill without killing animals," he said.

February 18, 2003

PETA disrupts fashion show

Activists for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) disrupted a Victoria's Secret fashion show in New York this week. Four female protesters rushed on to the stage as Gisele Bundchen strutted down the runway in a beaded bra and panties, thigh-high black stockings and red strappy heels. The protesters, carrying signs that read "Gisele: Fur Scum," shouted at the supermodel as she calmly completed her runway turn.

The activists were taken away, the lights went down and the segment of the show that was interrupted was redone. As Bundchen strode out for the second time in the outfit, the audience erupted into applause for the composed supermodel.

The dramatic confrontation was oddly fitting in a show that featured tried-and-true black lace numbers as well as everything from clear go-go boots with Day-Glo lingerie to fur caps paired with moccasin boots. And wings, lots of wings.

November 15, 2002