At BEDI, we are committed to animal welfare and the responsible use of materials. As a small ethical fashion brand, we believe that respect for animals and the ecosystems they inhabit is a core part of sustainable design. This policy outlines our position on animal-derived materials, and the ethical principles that guide our sourcing.

1. Our Commitment to Animal Welfare

We uphold the principle that animals have intrinsic value and should not suffer for fashion. While the vast majority of our products are free from animal-derived materials, we recognize the importance of transparency where exceptions exist. Our animal welfare policy is informed by internationally recognized frameworks:

The Five Freedoms

We support the Five Freedoms as a foundational standard for animal welfare. These include:

- Freedom from hunger and thirst
- Freedom from discomfort
- Freedom from pain, injury or disease
- Freedom to express normal behaviour
- Freedom from fear and distress

Though we do not raise or directly work with animals, we apply these freedoms as a lens when evaluating the ethical viability of materials, particularly in the rare cases where we work with recycled animal-derived inputs.

The Five Domains Model

We also recognize the Five Domains model, which expands the understanding of animal welfare to include:

- Nutrition
- Environment
- Health
- Behaviour
- Mental state

This framework underscores the importance of not only physical conditions but also emotional wellbeing—reinforcing our decision to avoid conventional animal materials that may come from systems where these domains are compromised.

Species-Specific Needs

We understand that each species has unique biological and behavioural needs. For this reason, when we do incorporate any material of animal origin, we require that it comes from sources or certifications that reflect this understanding. For example, the RWS (Responsible Wool Standard) specifically addresses the wellbeing of sheep, including protection from mulesing, and ensures that their environment and treatment reflect the Five Domains and species-specific needs.

2. Materials and Sourcing Overview

No New Animal-Derived Materials
We do not use virgin leather, fur, down, exotic skins, angora, mohair, silk, or any other new animal-derived material.

Recycled Leather
A portion of our bag styles are made using recycled leather. This leather is salvaged from automotive seats, aircraft interiors, and furniture destined for landfill. We view this as a form of waste recovery and circular fashion design, not as an endorsement of leather production. We use no “new” leather, and we never will.

Wool (RWS-Certified Only)
The only animal fibre used in our collection is RWS-certified merino wool, featured in a our VOZ socks. The Responsible Wool Standard is a globally recognized certification that ensures the ethical treatment of sheep, including pain-free practices, proper nutrition, access to pasture, and freedom from stress.

Vegan Products
The majority of our products are fully vegan, including:
-All winter coats
- All vests
- All raincoats
- All knits (100% cotton)
- Most of our bags

3. Ethical Approach and Continuous Responsibility

We believe in an ethical, values-driven approach to fashion. Our decisions are guided by:

- Respect for animal sentience and the capacity to suffer

- A refusal to support or profit from animal cruelty

- Transparent communication about materials and sourcing

- A commitment to continuous improvement through better alternatives

We also support the use of humane practices across any supply chains that interact with animals, including disease prevention, low-stress handling, and where necessary, the use of humane euthanasia protocols as outlined in ethical agricultural and veterinary standards.

4. Compliance with Legal Frameworks

We aim to align with all relevant provincial and national laws in Canada regarding animal welfare, including Quebec’s animal protection legislation. While most of our materials do not fall under regulated animal industries, we still hold our suppliers to high ethical standards, especially in cases involving third-party certifications such as the RWS.

5. Looking Ahead

As we grow, we remain committed to reducing our environmental and animal impact. We continuously explore innovative plant-based, upcycled and recycled materials as alternatives to conventional animal-derived inputs. Our goal is to offer beautiful, long-lasting products with as little harm to animals and the planet as possible.

To read more about our materials, please visit our Materials page here.

For more information about our sourcing or to ask questions about this policy, please feel free to contact us at contact@bedistudios.com