Protesters from the environmental action group Extinction Rebellion have disrupted London fashion week in an attempt to urge the British Fashion Council to declare a climate emergency. A group with a banner saying “rebel for life” blocked the road outside Victoria Beckham’s show at Tate Britain for about half an hour on Sunday, holding up Mercedes cars provided for the event.

Demonstrators, wearing black to mourn the lives of those devastated by environmental destruction, then formed human roadblocks outside venues at West Aldwych and Temple to challenge “business as usual” and highlight the spiralling throwaway culture in the UK’s clothing market. Extinction Rebellion said members of the public expressed support for their aims. One man told the group: “Even if I disagree with your methods, I do agree with the core principle.”Both lanes of traffic were blocked nearby the main catwalk venue at 180 Strand in central London, and there were plans to create gridlock and prevent staff from moving between show venues throughout Sunday, the third day of London fashion week; during which designers such as Vivienne Westwood will showcase their latest collections.(theguardian)…[+]