Feathers aren’t the only way to create volume, lightness, movement and fantasy in fashion
The use of ostrich feathers has risen in fashion as a fur replacement, but both feathers and fur come from cruelty and environmental harm. A genuine solution is to create the same aesthetic qualities without any animal inputs at all.
Designers have told us that feathers are used because they are light, create volume, movement, and intrigue. The materials below offer similar qualities.
Raphia grass
Raphia (or raffia) grass is a natural fibre from the leaves of the Raphia (or Raffia) palm, and can be braided, crocheted, knitted and woven with an endless variety of possible aesthetic outcomes. Raffia grass can be left to hang as fringing or manipulated to stand upright, with both methods offering similar visual appeal to decorative feathers.
Bio-fur as ‘feathers’
Just as feathers have, unfortunately, been used as an animal fur replacement, bio-based faux fur can be used to replace ostrich feathers and animal fur alike.
Above is Savian, a material from Bio-Fluff made from hemp and nettle: no animals, no plastics.
Fabric manipulation techniques
By fraying, embroidering, fringing and creating frills with responsibly sourced fabrics, we can create feathery qualities. These innovative techniques allow designers to be in total control of their aesthetic, not bound to biology of birds.
Faux feathers
Just as faux fur can be made from recycled synthetic materials, even bio-based materials, this innovation is developing in the feather space too.
These feathers are made by ECOPEL, rather than grown by an animal.
Want to keep learning?
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Read our report, 'Feathers are the new fur: cruelty in disguise'
This report overviews the ways that ostrich and other decorative feather production causes ethical and environmental harms, while outlining some solutions and the policies in place to prohibit them.
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Feather down alternatives
Just as decorative feathers can be replaced, the feathers used as insulation can be, too. Made from wildflowers, reeds and recycled materials, explore the next-generation of insulating materials.
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Policies and wins
Explore some of the achievements of Collective Fashion Justice, including seeing which global fashion week events have banned decorative feathers and other wildlife materials.