The prestigious Helsinki Fashion Week has announced that it will go ‘leather-free’ from next year. The decision was taken following a letter sent by Peta, which called on organisers to remove leather from all shows during the week, which takes place in July.

“We at Helsinki Fashion Week, with the support of the Nordic Fashion Week Association, are taking an active stand against cruelty to animals and the damaging environmental impacts that the use of animal leather brings with it,” said Evelyn Mora, founder of Helsinki Fashion Week, in a press release.

Peta welcomed the decision. “By banning leather, Helsinki Fashion Week will become a groundbreaking, cutting-edge presence on the fashion scene. Peta looks forward to seeing animal and eco-friendly vegan fabrics take over Helsinki catwalks in 2019 and beyond,” said the director of Peta, Elisa Allen.