PETA Targets Forever 21 Over ‘Faux’ Feather Fashion
Feathers are flying over what could be a case of sloppy editing at Forever 21.
Last week, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) asked Winnie Park, the fast-fashion retailer’s CEO, to clear up some confusion over questionable product descriptions leading consumers to wonder if they’re buying vegan or bird-based goods. At issue are a handful products whose titles seem at odds with the blurbs describing them. The most egregious example is a “faux feather” bra top offered in green, taupe and black colorways whose outer shell contains “100% feather.” A lime green “feather-trim” cardigan similarly muddies the water, with the fine print saying the neck-framing trim contains imitation feathers.
More from Sourcing Journal
In a letter dated Dec. 8, PETA managing general counsel demanded that Forever 21 “update your product descriptions to reflect reality and comply with your legal obligations.”
“Or better yet, please eliminate any and all use of real bird feathers immediately,” he wrote, pointing out that the mislabeling issue violates the Federal Trade Commission Act.
PETA outlined several cases of documented violence against birds raised and slaughtered for feathers coveted for “trinkets and trims.”
“PETA is calling on Forever 21 to do right by birds and its customers by stopping its false and misleading claims and no longer selling feather items,” said Ingrid Newkirk, president of the pro-animal organization.
Sourcing Journal reached out to Forever 21 for comment.
The group’s campaign comes as it successfully lobbied Ugg to delete misleading animal welfare claims from the popular brand’s website. PETA had given the Deckers brand a deadline of Dec. 1 to submit to PETA’s requests or run the risk of the activist group filing an official complaint with federal authorities.
“By removing these baseless and misleading claims, Ugg has acknowledged that there’s nothing ‘humane’ about killing sheep, cows, and geese and using their skin and feathers for boots and jackets,” said PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman. “PETA is calling on Ugg to give today’s kind customers what they want—luxurious vegan materials that leave animals out altogether.”
PETA has been busy this year. It recently complained to Canadian authorities about a couple of Textile Exchange standards that mislead customers into buying down and animal-fiber fashion that might not be as “responsible” as they claim to be. Hudson’s Bay stopped selling fur after PETA supporters dispatched more than 100,000 emails with their pro-animal demands. H&M was also targeted in a campaign asking the Swedish Monki owner to publicly name its down-feather suppliers. Exotic skins aficionado LVMH and Naadam came under fire as well.
