The Fur Free Alliance, FOUR PAWS celebrate as more Kering brands join fur-free Gucci and Bottega Veneta.
Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga are the latest Kering-owned brands to announce fur-free policies. The Fur Free Alliance previously worked with Kering’s Gucci to adopt a fur-free policy, as well as working with international brands Prada, Armani and HUGO BOSS.
The fur-free announcement was made in Kering’s 2020 Universal Registration document,which reads “Most of the Group’s Houses do not use fur. For example, Gucci is part of the Fur Free Retailer program promoted by NGO Fur Free Alliance, and has banned the use of furs across its entire range since its Spring/Summer 2018 collections. Gucci is also committed to no longer using angora. Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen and MCQ also no longer use fur in their collections.”
Following the fur-free commitments of major brands such as Michael Kors, Versace and Chanel, as well as today’s landmark decision by Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga, it is clear that fashion is turning its back on the cruel and unnecessary fur trade.
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Joh Vinding, chairman of the Fur Free Alliance, says: “We applaud this fur-free move by Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga. Killing animals for fur is archaic and inhumane. Today’s announcement is another major step towards the day when this appalling treatment of animals is brought to an end.”
Today, more than 1,500 brands worldwide have embraced animal welfare and joined the international Fur Free Retailer programme, sending a strong message that there is no future for animal fur in fashion.
“Major retailers and brands, both Australian and global alike, are increasingly recognising their responsibility for the welfare of animals, choosing animal-free materials or making demands about animal welfare for their supply chains,” says Elise Burgess, Head of Communications at FOUR PAWS Australia, the organisation representing the Fur Free Retailer programme in Australia.
“Countries and cities are also responding to public demand and ending their support for fur sales, with six NSW councils passing motions to end fur sales on council property in the past two years alone.”
Millions of animals are killed every year just for their fur – a product nobody needs. Not only do these battery cage systems cause immense animal suffering, but following hundreds of coronavirus outbreaks on mink fur farms worldwide they are also now proven to present a serious public health risk.
In Australia, fur can be found as fur trims on jackets, fur accessories for handbags, on children or pet toys, and even some faux fur products have been revealed as actual fur.
Media release submitted by FOUR PAWS Australia.
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Cover image of Balenciaga faux fur stole.