Most leading fashion brands have a poor or failing rating on environmental performance, according to survey results recently published by Greenpeace International. The findings led to a Greenpeace protest during the recent New York Fashion Week.

The fashion houses invited to participate in the study included the top 15 French and Italian fashion brands, including such well-known names as Giorgio Armani, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Chanel, and Prada. Of the 15, only one, Valentino, ranked Good, seven ranked Poor,  one is ranked Unsatisfactory because Greenpeace found that its answers did not give specific enough responses for a rating, and six are ranked Failed because they did not respond to the survey.

Issues addressed in the survey included the environmental impact of textile production, paper use, and sourcing of leather.

Valentino, at the top of the leader list, has issued a commitment to eliminate all hazardous chemicals from its supply chain and products by 2020, and has also made commitments with regard to its policies on the procurement of leather and pulp and paper.

The report of the survey and the Greenpeace challenge to the fashion industry is at http://en.thefashionduel.com/