A new feature documentary, KILLis set to investigate the deadly relationship between the fashion industry and animal skins, exposing the unethical practices that numerous brands carry out every day.
According to data from Good On You, a leading brand evaluation platform, 68% of today’s brands still use some animal products in their collections. For some of the biggest and most profitable brands, this figure rises to 91%.
Looking at the use of hide, fur and fur across the industry, filmmaker Rebecca Cappelli has used investigative footage captured over three years, following the industry’s largest supply chains and their subsequent impact on the environment. From how tanning pollutes water to how the use of unethical materials contributes to deforestation, the documentary looks at the effects on animals every step of the way.
Alongside her footage, Cappelli enlists the help of a range of experts and activists including TV personality Lucy Watson, activist Bandana Tewari and founding director of the Fashion Justice Collective Emma Håkansson.
“Animal suffering in the fashion industry has been glossed over while those leather industries are destroying the planet and harming people,” says Rebecca Cappelli, Director and Producer of SLAY in a press release. “SLAY aims to challenge the notion that animal skins are a fabric and open people’s eyes to the dark realities behind some of the most sought-after skins in fashion.”
As well as seeing the harsh reality of the industry and its effects, KILL offers a glimmer of hope, shedding light on possible solutions and ways brands can minimize their impact. From animal-free leather developed from pineapple leaves to plant-based wool grown from flowers, the documentary highlights the growing commitment to sustainable alternatives and seeks to encourage more and more brands to get involved.
KILL is available to watch on WaterBear, a free streaming platform dedicated to supporting the future of our planet.
