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New York Fashion Week opens
New York Fashion Week has got off to a suitably outspoken start, with animal rights protesters storming the Coach runway. Two female demonstrators from Peta jumped on stage at the spring 2024 show with banners.
New York Fashion Week started 7th September 2023, with leading designers from around the world showcasing their collections.
According to a press release by PETA, the protestors included a supporter of the animal rights organization and “two other animal advocates” who interrupted the show with the intent to “slam the brand for its cruelty to cows and its reliance on environmentally destructive leather products.”
Making a statement about the use of leather by the company, one woman was covered in body paint to mimic animal flaying, while another carried a sign that read “Coach: Leather Kills”.
Peta has since posted footage of the event to its social media platform.
The event marked the 10-year anniversary of creative director Stuart Vevers at the fashion house. Inspired by his early days in the city, the collection debuted at New York Fashion Week doubled down on Coach’s heritage as a leather brand through street-style inspired clothes.
Before working at Coach, Vevers directed Loewe, after two years in charge at Mulberry. That followed from stints at Louis Vuitton and Calvin Klein.
The show opened with a leather piece and other outfits in differing lengths and colors were also seen on the runway, all from tomato red to lilac. Presenting a very fine collection, it includes long and lean silhouettes with a series of ankle-length coats and dusters made of upcycled leather biker jackets.
The protesters were not removed by security until after they reached the end of the runway. Speaking with US Vogue after the show, Vevers explained that he “respects all points of view”. No other statements have been issued by Coach at this time.
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