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Italy's Gucci will stop using fur in its designs from next year, joining a growing number of fashion houses looking at alternatives after coming under pressure from animal rights activists and changing consumer tastes.
Gucci, part of Paris-based luxury group Kering, has paraded models down the catwalk in luxurious fur coats for decades and creative director Alessandro Michele brought in loafers and sling-backs lined with kangaroo fur two years ago.
But the brand said it would now join an alliance of fur-free companies, adding it would sell off the remaining accessories and clothing made with animal fur in a charity auction.
The proceeds will go to animal rights organisations Humane Society International and LAV.
Marco Bizzarri, Gucci's chief executive, said the brand would drop fur starting from its spring and summer 2018 collection and that its new approach had been agreed on with Michele.
"Being socially responsible is one of Gucci's core values, and we will continue to strive to do better for the environment and animals," Bizzarri said during the 2017 Kering Talk at The London College of Fashion.
Gucci has enjoyed a revival under Michele, whose flamboyant, colourful designs have fuelled sales over the past two years.
Animal rights campaigners said they hoped the move by the Italian fashion house could have a knock-on effect.
"Gucci's decision will radically change the future of fashion," Simone Pavesi, manager of animal-free fashion at Italian campaign group LAV, said.
"As fashion becomes more and more ethical, supply chains that revolve around animals will be a thing of the past."
In June, Yoox Net-A-Porter, a multi-brand online luxury retailer, adopted a fur-free policy on accessories and clothing sold on the site.
Italy's Giorgio Armani last year committed to stop using fur, saying technological progress meant there was no longer any justification for cruelty to animals, while US brand Calvin Klein took the plunge in 1994.
Anti-fur protesters have been known to demonstrate outside catwalk shows at fashion weeks around the world to call for an end to practices many see as cruel to animals, and luxury goods buyers — especially younger generations — have become more sensitive to environmental issues, too.
Many labels and other luxury groups such as LVMH — owner of Louis Vuitton — are tightening their policies on how leather is sourced from tanneries and how they obtain furs, after a series of scandals over how animals are treated in breeding farms.
France's Hermes was caught in a storm two years ago when a crocodile farm used to supply leather for one of its best-selling handbags was accused of cruel slaughter practices.
Reuters
Topics: fashion, animal-welfare, italy