The former Spice Girl unveiled her autumn-winter womenswear range of sheer dresses, boxy blazers and sculpted silhouettes in the French capital on Friday.
But the extravaganza was upstaged after protestors from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) stormed the catwalk to promote the use of vegan leather.
The organisation has since written to Beckham, 49 – who previously banned exotic furs and animal skins from her collections – with a request to share a graphic video that asks viewers to open their eyes to the cruelty of the leather trade.
The group hopes the gesture will inspire the designer, a mother-of-four, to extend compassion to fellow mums by ending her use of leather, which come from separating mothers from their babies.
Victoria Beckham has been urged to ban animal leather from her clothing collections, days after her latest Paris Fashion Week presentation was stormed by animal rights protestors
The former Spice Girl’s autumn-winter womenswear presentation was upstaged after protestors from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) stormed the catwalk
The organisation has since written to Beckham with a request to share a graphic video that asks viewers to open their eyes to the cruelty of the leather trade
‘Exposés by PETA entities have shown that animal leather is always the product of extreme violence – no matter where it comes from,’ writes PETA Vice President of Corporate Projects Yvonne Taylor .
‘Much of the skin used for “luxury” fashion comes from calves who were torn away from their mothers just hours after they were born.
‘As you know, a mother’s instinct to protect her babies is intense. Just like us, cows share a strong, loving bond with their young, and no handbag or jacket can justify the trauma of separation they endure or the horror of the slaughterhouse.
‘Taking a stand against leather would not only be a compassionate choice but also make your collections more sustainable, a move that is desperately needed if we have any hope of addressing the climate catastrophe for our children and theirs.
‘Industry studies have identified that cow leather is fashion’s most environmentally damaging material, and over 90% of its impact occurs before the skins even reach the tannery.’
With its letter, PETA sent samples of innovative plant-based leathers, including those made from cactus, olive, and grape as well as plastic-free plant leather Mirum, urging the fashion icon to use such animal- and planet-friendly materials in future collections.
‘Conscious consumers are increasingly seeking planet-friendly fashion that isn’t the product of cruelty to animals,’ adds Taylor.
‘We are sending you samples of just a few of the beautiful and innovative plant-based leathers available today – made from cactus, olive, grape, and other plant fibres – including all-natural vegan leather, Mirum.
The ‘Blood Bath’ video depicts the cruelty and violence animals suffer for the sake of fashion
The former Spice Girl unveiled her autumn-winter womenswear range of sheer dresses, boxy blazers and sculpted silhouettes in the French capital on Friday
‘You’ve already led the way in banning fur and exotic skins, and we hope you’ll continue to be a positive influence in the fashion industry by extending that same kindness to cows and calves by removing leather from your future collections.’
PETA campaigners got up during her latest show and walked the runway alongside the models while holding up signs saying “viva vegan leather”.
Their T-shirts read: ‘Animals aren’t fabric. Turn your back on animals skins.’
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) said while Beckham’s brand has banned the use of fur and exotic skins, “it still uses a large quantity of cruelly obtained leather, particularly calfskin”.
The non-profit organisation said it had also stormed the catwalks of Coach in New York, Burberry in London, and Fendi in Milan this season.
The non-profit organisation’s president for Europe, Mimi Bekhechi, said: ‘No garment or accessory is worth violently slaughtering and skinning a sensitive and intelligent animal.
‘We are urging Victoria Beckham to turn instead to the ethical and eco-friendly innovations available today, such a