Extinction Rebellion demonstrators douse stage a ‘die in’ at London Fashion Week

Extinction Rebellion demonstrators douse themselves in fake blood and stage a ‘die in’ at the opening of London Fashion Week in protest at the industry’s role in climate change

  • Extinction Rebellion doused themselves in fake blood and staged a ‘die ion’ at London Fashion Week
  • The five-day long international event is due to kick off in London’s Strand this morning 
  • But in advance eco-protestors covered the pavement with red liquid and laid down for press photographers
  • They shouted: ‘You choose profit over planet, profit over people, profit over our future’

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Extinction Rebellion protestors have doused themselves in fake blood and staged a ‘die ion’ at the opening of London Fashion Week. 

The international event is due to kick off in London’s Strand this morning but in advance the eco-protestors had covered the pavement with red liquid and laid down for press photographers.

Protesters  were led away by police shouting: ‘You choose profit over planet, profit over people, profit over our future.’ 

In advance of the protest the group said it ‘did not have time’ to debate with high street retailers whose production of disposable ‘fast fashion’ makes a greater environmental impact than the haute couture showcased at LFW.  

Five members of Extinction Rebellion lay down on the ‘blood’-soaked pavement today in front of press photographers

This woman has painted red 'blood' on her face and clothes to join the protest at the launch of London Fashion Week

This woman has painted red ‘blood’ on her face and clothes to join the protest at the launch of London Fashion Week

The Extinction Rebellion members waved flags across the entrance to London Fashion Week in The Strand in London

The Extinction Rebellion members waved flags across the entrance to London Fashion Week in The Strand in London

Protestors wearing white and waving flags held hand across the entrance to London Fashion Week which starts today

Protestors wearing white and waving flags held hand across the entrance to London Fashion Week which starts today

The group told the British Fashion Council (BFC) this summer they wanted it to scrap London Fashion Week in favour of a summit to address the climate crisis attended by industry professionals.

Given the ecological consequences of fast fashion and the impact London Fashion Week has on consumption, the organisation says a boycott is the only way forward to help save our planet.

It would make more sense to target high street high street retailers who produce the ‘fast fashion’ which fills landfills, but Bel Jacobs of Extinction Rebellion told The Independent: ‘We do not have time to chat about incremental change with high street labels.’

Shows and clothes which were spattered with the red liquid can be seen on protestors in The Strand

Shows and clothes which were spattered with the red liquid can be seen on protestors in The Strand

Young protestors laid on the ground this morning wearing t-shirts which read 'Repair, Rewear, Rebel' and 'Beyond Fashion'

Young protestors laid on the ground this morning wearing t-shirts which read ‘Repair, Rewear, Rebel’ and ‘Beyond Fashion’

She went on: ‘London Fashion Week is a symbolic moment in the fashion calendar and a platform that could reach millions, alerting them to the true urgency of the climate crisis.’

She claimed change needs to come from the top down and identified online retailers Boohoo and Missguided as two of the least sustainable fashion brands in the UK despite their soaring profits. 

‘But we also believe that in times of crisis, culture must lead the way,’ she says. ‘The London fashion scene has long been a place of innovation and dynamic creative problem solving. It also sets a global precedent and there is nothing more pressing, globally than the climate emergency.’ 

In order to get their message across, the activists will be taking part in several protests – which they call ‘swarms’ – during the five-day event. 

The protests will culminate in an ‘RIP London Fashion Week Funeral March’ on Tuesday 17 September, which will begin in Trafalgar Square at 6pm.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk