Prada Joins the Animal Welfare Movement and Goes Fur-Free

On May 22, the Prada Group revealed that it will no longer use fur in its designs. Headed by Miuccia Prada, the fashion house includes Prada, Miu Miu, Church, and Car Shoe brands. "The Prada Group with its brands now joins a growing list of fur-free brands that are responding to consumers' changing attitudes towards animals," said Joh Vinding, chairman of the Fur Free Alliance.

Victoria Beckham banned the use of any animal skins from her designs, and she recently extended that to include exotic skins. A brand spokesperson of Victoria Beckham told WWD that the "decision reflects the wishes of not only the brand, but also that of our customers."

Beginning in Fall 2019, 3.1 Phillip Lim will ban skins and exotic furs from its designs. Focusing on the environmental impact this shift will make, designer Phillip Lim stated in a press release, "The decision to ban fur – from an ethical and environmental perspective – speaks to our commitment to remain true to this ethos and listen to our customers: environmentally conscious, global citizens who shop with their values top of mind."

Before its Pre-Fall 2019 show in New York, Chanel announced that it would ban the use of exotic furs, including crocodile, lizard, stingray, snake, and fur, in its future designs. The brand plans to shift its focus to the development of materials created by "agri-food" industries.

Jean Paul Gaultier is a recent luxury brand to ban the use of fur in its future collections. The well-known designer announced his crucial decision live on French TV last weekend and said killing animals for fashion was "absolutely deplorable."

Versace banned the use of fur in March. Donatella Versace announced in an interview with 1843 Magazine that the brand will stop using fur because killing animals for fashion doesn't feel right.

Burberry might be joining this growing list of luxury brands by pledging to no longer use animal fur. Burberry told The Sunday Times that they are reviewing their use of fur with the intention of ultimately going fur-free.

Although Tom Ford hasn't 100 percent banned the use of fur, the brand is on its way. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Tom Ford said, "I have started using much more fake fur. I'm not yet ready to say that I'm fur-free. Now, however, I have limited the fur in these collections and going forward to food byproducts, which does not sound very sexy. 'I'm selling you a food byproduct!' That means cowhide, it means shearling, it means not doing fur that is raised purely for its pelt. I have used a lot of fake fur this season."

The Kooples banned the use of fur in its down jackets and parkas in 2017. In January 2018, the brand announced its continued commitment to being fur-free by launching an exclusive clutch designed in vegan leather ($65). All proceeds from the clutch will be donated to PETA.

In December 2017, the brand announced it was going fur-free after meeting with PETA officials. The policy would cover both Michael Kors Collection and the Jimmy Choo line.

Starting with its Spring/Summer 2018 collection, Gucci banned the use of fur. Gucci also joined the Fur Free Alliance, an organization dedicated to ending the exploitation and killing of animals for their fur.

Stella McCartney is one of the most well-known designers who's committed to sustainable and ethical practices when it comes to her products, all of which are vegan.

According to Kate Spade's company website on ethical sourcing, it has a policy against using animal fur in products with the "exception of lamb shearling and calf hair." The fashion house also "discourages the use of exotic skins."

In 2016, Armani announced the brand would stop using animal fur, starting with the Fall 2016 collection.

As of Fall 2016, Hugo Boss stopped using fur. A spokesman for the brand said, "For many years Hugo Boss has continuously decreased the use of fur and subsequently, only a very small share was left in the last collections. The last rabbit fur used was for select pieces only (trims on hoods and on sleeves for example), which we have now completely dropped."

The French clothing company announced in December 2014 that it would stop selling angora wool products, which are made from angora rabbits.

The brand revealed in October 2007 after meeting with PETA that it would go fur-free.

In April 2007, after a meeting with PETA, the label dropped all fur from its clothing lines. The brand made an even larger statement for its Fall 2015 collection when it released a host of "fur like" pieces that were actually made from shearling.

In March 2007, Tommy Hilfiger announced it would stop using fur in its collection for ethical reasons.

Calvin Klein stopped using fur in its collection back in 1994, with the designer saying, "the fur segment of our business simply did not fit with our corporate philosophy any longer."