Veganism is not just about food. If you are vegan, you should also care about what you wear and the animals used in fashion. Everyone should.

Join this discussion to hear from experts from the animal welfare sector and the fashion industry about the impact of using animals for fashion, the progress since animal exploitation and cruelty for fashion was revealed, available alternatives, and the role of authorities, designers/brands and consumers.

This event is FREE and will take place on ZOOM. You will receive details for joining after your registration and before the event.

This discussion is organised and will be moderated by Dr Athina Frantzana, who is a human & animal rights advocate and activist. Athina is vegan, huge supporter of ethical fashion, and volunteers with Fashion Revolution Scotland and One Kind. Athina works as an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Specialist-Researcher and is founder of Spread the Word.

Athina will be joined by:

Bob Elliot (One Kind)

Bob started working for OneKind in October 2018 having previously worked in the nature conservation and welfare sector for nearly 25 years. This included posts at The National Trust for Scotland, The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and latterly as the Head of Investigations for the RSPB, managing and overseeing the detection and investigation of serious wildlife crime cases. Bob was delighted to be offered the Director role for OneKind being given the opportunity to lead a respected and evidence led welfare organisation to help make a difference for animals in Scotland, exposing the cruelty and persecution so often encountered in our domestic, farmed and wild animals. When not at work Bob can be found leading nature tours, watching wildlife and sea kayaking.

Kirsty Leese (One Kind)

Kirsty is the Fundraising Coordinator at OneKind, where she manages volunteers and events, and assists the head of fundraising with online and direct fundraising appeals. Kirsty is a recent graduate in Business Management, and is currently studying her MSc in Sustainable Mountain Development to gain a deeper understanding of environmental and social issues in upland areas. Having been a OneKind volunteer for a number of years, Kirsty was delighted to officially join the team earlier this year, and loves nothing more than planning events with OneKind’s dedicated group of volunteers.

Libby Anderson (Animal Welfare Policy Advisor)

From 2015 to 2020 Libby was the Policy Advisor for OneKind (formerly Advocates for Animals) and was previously the charity’s Policy Director from 2006 to 2015. OneKind works to achieve improved legislation to protect all animals in Scotland, in areas such as animal sentience, wild animal welfare, welfare of farmed animals, breeding and sale of companion animals and the human-animal bond. Over the years, Libby has engaged with fellow stakeholders, officials and decision makers on legislation such as the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 and the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Act 2018. Libby worked for the Scottish SPCA from 1994 to 2004 and after that as a consultant for animal protection groups and Scottish local authorities. She was involved in founding the Cross-Party Group on Animal Welfare in the Scottish Parliament and acted as Secretary for several years. Currently, she is the Secretary of the Wild Animal Welfare Committee (WAWC) and a member of the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission and the Scottish steering group of the UK Centre for Animal Law (ALAW).

Connor Jackson (Open Cages)

Connor is the CEO and co-founder of animal protection organisation Open Cages. He is an award winning filmmaker, and a grant reviewer for The Pollination Project. His experience in animal advocacy covers areas such as undercover investigations, media campaigns and lobbying.

Niki Taylor (Fashion Revolution Scotland)

Niki’s practice is strongly influenced from her background as a Multi-Disciplinary Designer working as a fashion and shoe designer for the UK high street and within the luxury sector previously with own label ‘OLANIC'. Disturbed by the far reaching effects of the Fashion Industry on people and the planet, lead her to explore new creative ways of working driven by cross-collaboration. Her work explores the complexities of Fast Fashion, Consumerism and Waste. She is the country coordinator for Fashion Revolution Scotland and teaches youth workshops on Sustainability, Zero Waste and circularity and is a lecturer in textiles at Edinburgh College of Art. @thetopproject @taylorgarbut @thetextileobservatory

Vivienne Low (Fashion Revolution Scotland)

Vivienne is a Freelance Designer, Consultant and Stylist. She has worked on a wild variety of creative projects including Costume Design in the Film and TV industry and she has also worked many years in the Garment Industry in Clothing Design and Production. Vivienne is a Freelance Educator teaching workshops at the V&A Dundee, The National Museum, DJCAD and Heriot Watt University. Sustainability and creativity are the threads that connect all her work and she is a campaigner for ethical and sustainable fashion and a coordinator for Fashion Revolution Scotland

Millie Scott (milliescottstudio.co.uk)

Millie Scott Studio is an independent designer-maker on a mission to turn waste and surplus material into beautifully made, practical pieces. With a degree in Fashion Design from the Heriot-Watt School of Textiles, nearly a decade of vintage fur alterations and a 5 year traineeship with Edinburgh’s last furrier, Millie is passionate about reimagining pre existing materials to minimise waste and maximise joy. She specialises in working with preloved fur but she also works with recycled and offcut leather and surplus heavy duty interior industry fabrics. Millie believes that craft, quality and creativity are at the core of turning the tide on waste. She is an ethical and sustainable fashion advocate, is inspired by the slow fashion movement and is a volunteer with Fashion Revolution Scotland. Millie also offers an alterations, repairs and remodelling service to encourage people to love their clothes for longer.

*The cover picture is a VOGUE magazine cover from August 01, 1917 by Georges Lepape (Copyright: Conde Nast), and it is adopted by the VOGUE Archive.