Fashion and the Birth of Nature Conservation

From prehistoric times, animal skins, fur, and feathers served practical, symbolic, and decorative roles in human societies. They provided warmth, protection, and adornment, later becoming markers of status, wealth, and power.

Yet the fashion history of mammals, birds, and synthetic substitutes increasingly raises urgent questions of protection. Safeguarding species from exploitation, preserving habitats, and reducing pollution linked to alternative materials are now essential concerns.

Past campaigns against plume hunting and fur demonstrate that public opinion, legislation, and activism can transform fashion. True protection requires restraint, transparency, responsible sourcing, longer garment life, and ethical awareness of fashion’s impact on living systems.

This exhibition takes visitors on a journey from the 16th century to the present day, tracing how fashion, society, and attitudes towards nature have changed over time. It explores international and local developments, while highlighting the crucial role of activists, legislation, and public awareness in responding to exploitation, encouraging protection, and reshaping the relationship between dress, identity, and the natural world.