“Boden isn’t about fast fashion and fads. It never was. It’s about making clothes that put a smile on your face, for a long, long time.” We can debate that, but there is no debate that Johnnie Boden (founder of the eponymous brand) has long had links with fox hunting. An expose in 2021 in the Citro by Protect the Wild’s Glen Black, clarified the Boden family’s links with the notorious Blackmore & Sparkford Vale Hunt but more recent evidence has been lacking. However, Protect the Wild has now seen documentary evidence that Mr Boden is actually a life patron of the Portman Hunt. Patrons support and are theoretically happy to be associated with the organisation they represent…but the Portman has an appalling record: the Portman’s huntsman and whipper-in were both found guilty of illegal hunting during a meet in September 2022; in October 2024, North Dorset Hunt Sabs reported that domestic cats had gone missing after the Portman Hunt’s hound chased after them (a repeat of what happened in January 2023, when the hunt’s hounds terrorised kittens on a local farm); in September 2024, Weymouth Animal Rights reported that a Portman Hunt supporter attacked sabs with a bone-handled walking stick (the attacker was later interviewed by the police and given a 16 week Community Resolution Order); Weymouth Animal Rights captured clear footage of the Portman Hunt actively hunting a fox in November 2024 (sabs luckily managed to stop the hunt from killing which you can watch here); and in January 2025, according to Wildlife Crime Action, masked Portman Hunt supporters, expressed their anger at being forced to give up their illegal chase of another fox by directing derogatory and ableist language language to two 14-year-olds (video here). Not an organisation many of us would be happy to support, in fact…
Boden Clothing (London)
Links to further information
- Protect the Wild: Fashion brand founder Johnnie Boden is a life patron of the Portman Hunt (February 2025)
- Protect the Wild: Portman Hunt: Two men convicted of fox hunting crimes (September 2024)
- The Citro: Fashion brand Boden highlighted for its support of notorious hunt (September 2021)
Credits
Information sourvced by Protect the Wild.
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Listing is to inform choice only. By listing a business we are not suggesting or implying that the business is acting unlawfully. We are not asking for a boycott of the business. If you wish to contact the business please do so politely. We are a non-violent organisation and making threats, intimidating or harassing individuals is never acceptable under any circumstances and may lead to prosecution.