Victoria’s Secret bans cashmere following ‘terrifying’ investigation into goat farms

Victoria’s Secret has banned cashmere from its source materials following a ‘terrifying’ investigation into goat farms.

The lingerie giant, owned by Victoria’s Secret & Co, ditched alpaca fleece from its collections last year – and has prohibited the sale of angora rabbit fur since 2013.

Its latest move for better animal welfare comes after vegan charity PETA exposed cashmere workers in China and Mongolia – where 90 percent of the world’s cashmere is produced.

Investigators found employees ‘violently shoving terrified goats to the ground, pinning them down, and tearing their hair out with sharp metal picks’.

One worker is even seen pouring rice wine into an animal’s open wound.

Victoria’s Secret hailed

“Victoria’s Secret’s decision is a win for the countless gentle goats who will be spared the agonising ordeal of someone ripping their hair out,” said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman.

“PETA asks everyone to help goats keep their hair by choosing vegan fabrics, which aren’t produced by condemning animals to a lifetime of suffering.”

Is cashmere dying out?

Victoria’s Secret isn’t the only brand to have ditched the cruel material.

In 2018, major fashion giant ASOS announced it would ban the sale of mohair, feathers, silk and cashmere – vowing the site would be free of said materials by the end of January 2019.

PETA applauded ASOS for “leading the charge for compassion in fashion.”

“In response to PETA’s campaigns, consumers are changing the face of the industry by demanding that designers and retailers ditch animal-derived materials in favour of cruelty-free alternatives that look great without causing suffering,” the charity’s Yvonne Taylor said.

You can watch the PETA Investigation here. Viewers discretion advised. 

With temperatures dropping, it’s tempting to reach for a down coat to keep warm. Instead, check out these cruelty-free vegan down alternatives.

Featured image credit: Mark Makela via Getty Images