1 month ago 10th Oct 11:07
Marks and Spencer has won a coveted RSPCA Good Business Award for its animal welfare-friendly fashion policies for the fourth-year running .
Joining Marks & Spencer on the winner’s podium is newcomer Izzy Lane, a small Yorkshire based fashion company, which has won the small fashion retailer category. The online fashion store, Natural Collection has also picked up an award for its ongoing commitment to change.
The awards were judged by an independent panel of industry experts based on criteria set out by the RSPCA.
Wayne Hemingway, one of the fashion judges said: "It is truly heartening to see that two companies - of very different scales - have taken note of the growing consumer concern for animal welfare, and have created profitable business models that place these principles at their core.
"Izzy Lane shows how a passion for animals can equal a truly luxurious and cutting edge fashion label, whilst Marks & Spencer continues to prove that sustainability and sales can go hand in hand on the high street."
Marks & Spencer was chosen as a fashion winner for setting higher animal welfare standards on the high street through its product traceability, its long-standing policy against the use of real fur in any of its products, and its continued commitment to ethical sourcing.
Izzy Lane, a new entrant to the RSPCA Good Business Awards this year, was highly praised by the judges for its beautiful collection of knitwear which combines a passion for fashion with an ongoing commitment to good animal husbandry and sustainability - the company’s sheep sanctuary saved 500 sheep in 2006/2007.
The online fashion store, Natural Collection, was also recognised for its extensive collection of eco, organic and fairly traded fashion for men and women. The collection combines fashion, comfort and shows that ethical trading can be profitable.
The Good Business Awards were set up by the RSPCA four years ago, to encourage companies to adopt animal welfare-friendly policies that reflect the concern of their customers and in turn reap financial and moral benefits.
David Bowles, Head of External Affairs at the RSPCA said: "With the high street currently feeling the effect of the global credit crunch, it is really encouraging to see our winners making animal welfare an integral part of their ethical agendas and they all deserve huge praise for the progress they have made. I only hope that we see more of the same from other fashion companies over the course of the next year."
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