Activists open Milan Fashion week at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele to demand toxic-free fashion

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2014-02-20

Heralding the start of Milan Fashion week, Greenpeace Italy activists unfurled a huge banner in the iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele to demand that luxury brands commit to creating fashion free from hazardous chemicals.

The 100 square metre banner hanging from the gallery ceiling features world-class model Eugenia Volodina and a young ‘King’ who is taking a stand against toxic fashion. The banner reads: “Beautiful fashion, ugly lies? #TheKingisNaked”. Meanwhile below, Greenpeace volunteers opened a second banner with the message “Versace Detox now!”

Chiara Campione, Fashion Duel Project Leader at Greenpeace Italy, said:

“We are here to reveal the naked truth and join this little King in demanding toxic-free fashion for children everywhere. It is time to strip away the illusion and reveal fashion’s dirty little secret. Versace needs to live up to its reputation as a trendsetter and commit to making clothes we can all be proud of. If Burberry and Valentino can do it, why can’t Versace?”

On Monday Greenpeace International revealed that the same hazardous chemicals used in the manufacturing of fast fashion are used by ‘exclusive’ luxury brands - including Versace, Louis Vuitton and Dolce&Gabbana - to produce children’s clothing.

The highest total concentration of polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) was found in a Versace jacket. Once released into rivers or lakes from factories or the clothes themselves, some PFCs accumulate into the environment and can be found in even the most remote regions of the planet. They can also interfere with the hormonal systems of both animals and humans.

Source: Greenpeace International

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