Media release: Auckland Animal Action

Friday 21st October 2005

AAA to present award for animal cruelty to Fashion Week Managing Director Pieter Stewart

This afternoon Auckland Animal Action will present an award for animal cruelty to Pieter Stewart, the Managing Director of Fashion Week.

Pieter Stewart has become an unofficial international ambassador for New Zealand fashion as the founder and driving force behind the concept of a New Zealand Fashion Week. Pieter Stewart has a huge influence over the New Zealand fashion market. Her support of the fur trade, through the inclusion of possum fur in Fashion Week, effectively endorses and promotes animal cruelty.

Spokesperson for AAA, Rochelle Rees says, “Pieter Stewart's support of the possum fur trade through Fashion Week, could lead to an increase in the use of this fur by New Zealand designers, as well as to an increase in the importation of cruel factory farmed fur into New Zealand. We are disappointed that she didn't extend compassion to the animals abused by the fur trade by making New Zealand Fashion Week a fur-free event. For these reasons, we will be presenting her with an award for animal cruelty this afternoon.”

The award will be presented at 5pm today, at 135 Halsey Street in Auckland’s Viaduct. A protest will also be held to highlight Fashion Weeks support of animal suffering and exploitation.

ENDS

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