Gucci has joined the fur-free brigade.
Marco Bizzarri, Gucci’s president and chief executive officer, announced the fur-free policy on Wednesday during the 2017 Kering Talk at The London College of Fashion.
The Humane Society of the United States and animal right’s group LAV, along with the Fur Free Alliance, lauded the decision by the famed fashion house that it will no longer use animal fur, beginning with its spring 2018 collection.
Gucci’s commitment follows a long-standing relationship with the HSUS and LAV—members of the international Fur Free Alliance, a coalition of more than 40 animal protection organizations working together to end the fur trade.
Gucci’s fur-free policy includes mink, coyote, raccoon dog, fox, rabbit and karakul (also known as swakara, Persian lamb or astrakhan) and all others species specially bred or caught for fur.
“Being socially responsible is one of Gucci’s core values, and we will continue to strive to do better for the environment and animals,” Bizzari said. “With the help of HSUS and LAV, Gucci is excited to take this next step and hopes it will help inspire innovation and raise awareness, changing the luxury fashion industry for the better.”
The HSUS and LAV said they will continue to support Gucci in identifying and reducing its impact on animals and the environment.
The company joins many other leading fashion brands and retailers in going fur-free—including Armani, Hugo Boss, Yoox Net-a-Porter and Stella McCartney—and will be part of the international Fur Free Retailer Program.
PJ Smith, senior manager of fashion policy for the HSUS, said: “Gucci’s decision is a game-changing moment in the fashion industry. We’ll look back at this moment, I predict, and see that this was the turning point when the business world turned away from fur and substituted cruelty-free garments in its place.”
Simone Pavesi, manager of animal free fashion for LAV, said: “Gucci’s decision will radically change the future of fashion. Respect for animals is becoming more entrenched in people’s values and the great names of fashion are gradually implementing social responsibility policies to reflect that. As fashion becomes more and more ethical, supply chains that revolve around animals will be a thing of the past.”