For years, the fur trade has conducted a program at Parsons School of Design, one of the world’s most prestigious fashion schools, in which students receive free fur to work with and a chance to take part in an industry-sponsored fashion show. This year, in the middle of Fashion Week, Parsons is—for the first time—allowing PETA equal time. The group will give a video presentation to the entire senior class, showing not only how minks and foxes are trapped, drowned, or electrocuted for their fur, but also how cows and sheep live and die on intensive factory farms for the leather and wool trades.

At the presentation, PETA will announce its sponsorship of an annual animal-free fashion show at which Parsons students can explore modern materials like ultrasuede and synthetic shearling, as well as traditional fabrics like cotton and linen. “It’s easy to be creative without being destructive,” says PETA Vice President Dan Mathews, who will lead the discussion. “We’re thrilled that Parsons is allowing students to make informed choices about using animal skins rather than just letting them be seduced by fur-industry handouts.”

PETA began developing the program with Parsons department chair Tim Gunn this spring, and the group hopes to repeat it in other design schools around the world next year.

Watch some of the videos that PETA will show the fashion students, and get information on animal-friendly alternatives to fur, leather, and wool at FurIsDead.com, CowsAreCool.com, and SaveTheSheep.com.