Demonstrators staged a ‘naked’ protest ahead of London Fashion Week to highlight the role it has in promoting overconsumption and needless waste.
A group of men and women gathered outside Somerset House wearing only placards and skin-coloured undies to protect their modesty.
Raising awareness of the negative environmental impact of cyclical and seasonal fashion trends, they are calling on the industry to give second-hand items a bigger space on the catwalk at this year’s event.
It was staged by Gumtree, which hoped to encourage fashion houses to stop perpetuating a âwear it onceâ culture and to feature more sustainable styles.
Hannah Rouch, from the preloved ecommerce brand, said: âWeâre calling on the worldâs leading fashion houses to lead the charge and ensure that whatâs trending is sustainable.
âWe simply canât turn a blind eye to billions of pounds worth of fashion waste ending up in landfill each year.
“We have a collective responsibility to put an end to âwear it onceâ culture once and for all.
âMillions are waking up to the benefits of discovering beautiful pre-loved pieces, but we need âsecond hand firstâ to be the new norm.
âFor this to happen we need the worldâs leading fashion brands – those that are showcasing at London Fashion Week – to fire imaginations and showcase the style credentials of pre-loved pieces.
âTogether designers and all those who love fashion can start a consumption rebellion and demonstrate that style doesnât have to cost the earth.â