Stella Takes A Stand

Stella McCartney has announced that she will cease using the Patagonian farms where she sources wool used in her collections with immediate effect, after PETA presented her with distressing footage showing sheep at the farms being mistreated.

"I am very saddened to report that we have had to cease sourcing some of our sustainable wool from Ovis 21 in Patagonia," the designer wrote on Instagram. "It was born as an amazing initiative to help protect a million acres of endangered grasslands in Patagonia whilst looking after the welfare of animals. Unfortunately, after conducting our own investigation in Argentina, following a very distressful viewing of footage provided by the great guys at @officialpeta, we found out that 1 of the 26 ranches we used source sustainable wool there, mistreated its sheep. It is one too many."

The designer is the second high-profile name to take action recently following PETA campaigns. Last month, Jane Birkin requested that Hermés remove her name from its famous tote bag named after the fashion muse and actress, after the animal-rights activists showed her damaging footage of how the exotic skins are allegedly sourced to make the bags.

"As a designer who built a brand on not using leather, fur or animal skins in its designs, I can't tolerate it!," continued McCartney. "I am devastated by the news but more determined than ever to fight for animal rights in fashion together and monitor even more closely all suppliers involved in this industry to end all innocent lives. We are also looking into vegan 'wool' as well, in the same manner we were able to develop and incorporate high-end alternatives to leather and fur over the years."

Following McCartney's statament, Patagonia released their own statment on the social-media platform, stating:

"The video released by PETA showing animal mistreatment in the network of ranches where we source our wool is shocking and saddening. We have accepted responsibility and apologise for the harm done in our name. There is no excuse for violent shearing methods and inhumane slaughter. We hold ourselves to the highest standards, constantly seeking to improve our efforts to be the most sustainable, least harmful to the earth or its animals. Our statement described the disappointment we feel in seeing this disturbing video."

The company also urged its followers to read its full statement on its website, where it outlines in more detail "areas where our beliefs differ from PETA's, and explain some ways the video is misleading. Our partnership with Ovis XXI is built on a radical approach to growing wool, and it's been a significant and engaging project for us, one we are fully committed to."