‘RIP London Fashion Week’: Extinction Rebellion holds funeral to mark LFW finale

Activists call for cancellation of bi-annual trade event in response to ongoing climate crisis

(REUTERS)

Environmental activists Extinction Rebellion marked the end of London Fashion Week by staging a funeral procession, calling for the event to be cancelled in its current form.

The group protested throughout the five-day event, with campaigners condemning the fashion industry for its contributions to the climate crisis and calling for urgent action.

The protests culminated on Tuesday evening, when 200 activists gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square around two black coffins that read “RIP LFW 1983-2019” and “Our Future”.

Some of those in attendance wore black veils while members of the Red Brigade, a performance group that has previously participated in Extinction Rebellion marches, wore bright red robes and painted their faces white.

After several campaigners delivered speeches about the fashion industry’s carbon footprint, the group marched towards 180 Strand, which was the British Fashion Council’s (BFC) main show space for fashion week.

The protestors paused outside H&M on Regent Street to deliver additional speeches about the environmental consequences of fast fashion.

In July, the campaigners wrote an open letter to the British Fashion Council calling for the organisation to cancel London Fashion Week and replace the bi-annual trade show with a summit for industry professionals to talk about how they will address the ongoing climate crisis.

Member of Red Bridage took part in the march (REUTERS)

The group maintains that it doesn’t want to see an end to the creativity of fashion but that it is “simply calling for a response that is appropriate to the climate crisis we are in”.

Some protesters wore all-black funeral outfits for the event (Léo Bodelle)

Extinction Rebellion’s fashion week activities began on Friday morning, when a group of protesters glued themselves to the entrance to 180 Strand and poured fake blood onto the pavements.

The Independent has contacted the BFC for comment.