Paris (AFP)
British designer Stella McCartney called on the fashion world to "wake up" and help save the planet on Monday after her first fashion show as a personal advisor to LVMH boss Bernard Arnault.
"The world is calling for change and it is our duty to act now," said the designer, one of the pioneers of ethical fashion.
"We are not perfect (...) and like all companies, we are part of the problem," she admitted.
These statements come a few days after criticism by the parton of LVMH Bernard Arnault, second richest man in the world, against the face of the climate Greta Thunberg.
While LVMH, which owns notably Dior, Louis Vuitton and Givenchy launched its campaign for the environment, Mr. Arnault said that the young Swede indulged in an "absolute catastrophism on the evolution of the world".
"This has a demoralizing effect for young people, it offers nothing, if not to criticize," said Arnault Wednesday during an event where Stella McCartney also spoke.
The designer has become Mr. Arnault's personal advisor on sustainable development since entering the brand in July, of which Stella McCartney remains the majority shareholder.
LVMH is considered to be lagging behind the environment in comparison to its main competitor Kering (Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen).
Last week, Kering said it had become carbon neutral and halved its supply chain greenhouse gas emissions in five years.
LVMH refused to partner with Kering to sign the "Fashion Pact" at the G7 summit in August.
Kering owned half of the Stella McCartney brand until she bought it last year.
Sustainability "is the future of fashion, not just a trend," said Stella McCartney in a note of intent for her Paris fashion show.
Vegetarian, the designer has never used fur, leather, skins, feathers or animal glue since the launch of her brand in 2001.
© 2019 AFP