Extinction Rebellion protest covered in fake blood block London Fashion Week

13 September 2019, 10:50

Protestors have glued themselves to an entrance at London Fashion Week in a so called "die-in" demonstration.

Extinction Rebellion protestors covered in fake blood have blocked an entrance to London Fashion Week.

Pictures show activists blocking doors to the trade show venue in The Strand, while others poured buckets of fake blood around the entrance to create a "bleeding red carpet".

The environmental movement said it was staging the so called "die-in" to urge the fashion industry to "tell the truth about its contribution to the climate and ecological crisis".

The protestors were seen wearing white clothes stained with blood, carrying flags and holding hands to block the entrance.

Extinction Rebellion said the protest marked the start of five days of action targeting the fashion industry which had "blood on its hands" due to its environmental record.

The group said the fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, with a carbon footprint more than that of international flights and shipping combined.

They added that the industry is set to grow by 63% by 2030, which will lead to "even more destructive emissions".

Extinction Rebellion activist Sara Arnold, 32, who is the founder of a fashion rental company, said: "Instead of the fashion industry exploiting sustainability to sustain business as usual, it should use its influence and creativity to sustain life on Earth.

"The industry is set to grow by 63% between now and 2030. It is time for it to admit that it has failed to make itself sustainable.

"The fashion industry's footprint grows season after season. It has now run out of time. We must act now."

A separate protest outside London Fashion Week is planned by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) supporters, who will douse themselves in "toxic slime" to highlight the "leather industry's planet-poisoning waste".

Extinction Rebellion said the five days of action targeting the fashion industry will come ahead of an International Rebellion beginning on October 7, which will see cities across the globe call for immediate action on the climate and ecological crisis.

A spokeswoman for the event refused to comment.