Leading Fashion Brands Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga Ditch Animal Fur For Future Collections

As part of the French multinational corporation, Kering Group’s work with The Humane Society of the United States, and its international arm, Humane Society International (HSI) that works around the globe to promote animal welfare, two of fashion’s major giants Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga, announced that they will no longer be using any animal fur in their future collections.

British-based Alexander McQueen and Spanish luxury brand Balenciaga, both part of the Kering, are the latest brands in the group to completely ditch animal fur.

For more than a decade now, the HSI and the Humane Society of the United States have been working with Kering and its brands to embrace a fur-free policy.

Last year, in Kering’s 2020 Universal Registration document, the group mentioned the brands that don’t use fur including Bottega Veneta that has been fur-free for nearly 20 years. Additionally, Gucci, Prada, Armani, Versace, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, DKNY, Burberry and Chanel, too have ditched using animal fur.

During HSI’s several investigations into what really goes on behind animal fur farms, the organization exposed the cruelty endured by so many creatures at these establishments. Every year, over 100 million animals are killed for their fur including mink, fox, raccoon dog, chinchilla, and rabbit and that is equivalent to three animals dying every second, for the fashion industry.

This past year, in over 400 mink farms across 100 countries, minks were gassed to death, given rising concerns of COVID-19 spreading to these farms, and by breeding and culling these animals, we have also led the world to a huge biodiversity crisis.

In a press release seen by Green Queen, president, and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States and CEO of HSI, Kitty Block, said, “Every time a big fashion name like Alexander McQueen or Balenciaga goes fur-free, it sends a clear message that fur has no place in modern society. This is a statement that consumers care more about sustainable solutions than the fur trim on a bag or a coat. We look forward to continuing our work with Kering, and the rest of the industry, to ensure that humane and innovative materials are the future of fashion.”

To protect these and many more animals that are subject to torture due to this trade, several countries are coming forward in support. for instance, in the U.K., fur production has been banned since 2003 and recently several celebrities such as Brian May and Ricky Gervais urged the government to ban the use as well as the sale of fur with the support of several charities including PETA and the RSPCA.

Furthermore, a YouGov opinion poll found that 93% of the British population avoid wearing real animal fur, with the majority (72%) in favour of a ban on the sale of fur in the country.

Every time a big fashion name like Alexander McQueen or Balenciaga goes fur-free, it sends a clear message that fur has no place in modern society. This is a statement that consumers care more about sustainable solutions than the fur trim on a bag or a coat

Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States and CEO of HSI

Following the outbreaks in mink farms, Netherlands too has stopped the production of mink fur.

In 2019, California became the first US state to ban fur sales, with the town of Wellesley, Massachusetts following suit last year. In addition, several legislators have introduced bans this year.

Lead image – Arctic foxes trapped in fur farms for the fashion industry, courtesy of Humane Society of the United States.