“It is so important to create a positive message of hope. As an activist, I cannot stay silent.”

While other fashion-related events such as the LA Fashion week and the 2020 Met Gala, have been postponed or cancelled for now in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vegan Fashion week founder and fashion activist Emmanuelle Rienda is determined to host the event.

To avoid jeopardizing anyone’s health and safety, the show, which was originally scheduled for April 3–4 at The Void in the Los Angeles Arts District, will be streamed live behind closed doors without an audience.

Other facets of the threefold event which included a designer showroom and panel series have been scrapped.

“I am trying to still share a message while putting the security of everybody as a first priority. As of now, the event will be streamed online with no audience and behind closed doors,” said Rienda.

 “It is so important to create a positive message of hope. As an activist, I cannot stay silent.”

Vegan Fashion Week

The vegan fashion week is dedicated to ‘elevating ethical fashion globally and to raising awareness of cruelty-free practices.’

This year’s theme- “Expansion,” was conceptualized to ‘explore the challenges surrounding ecological and climate change through the lenses of fashion, ethics, sustainability, and animal rights’.

According to Rienda, the current situation “is directly linked to animal exploitation,” drawing a connection between all the virus outbreaks the world has experienced including Ebola, mad cow, swine flu and the ongoing pandemic.

 ‘Inspire positive change’

In a statement announcing the VFW, Rienda said: “Now is a very important time to share our message and draw connections between sustainability and ethics.

“Animal exploitation is directly linked to the virus outbreak, the Australian bushfires, the Amazonian forest fires, and our current global environmental crisis.

“I want to inspire positive change and elevate the conversation through fashion because fashion is activism.”

• Read: Vegans rejoice as Grand National 2020 cancelled over coronavirus

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