Gucci has vowed to ditch fur in its collections and accessories. The Italian fashion house, headed up by Alessandro Michele and known for its fur lined loafers, is being helped in its new fur free mission by the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) and LAV, an organisation that believes in animal free fashion. Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri announced the initiative during the 2017 Kering Talk at The London College of Fashion on Wednesday.
"Being socially responsible is one of Gucci's core values, and we will continue to strive to do better for the environment and animals," he stated. "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 luxury label defines fur as "any animal skin, or part thereof, with hair or fur fibres attached thereto, either in its raw or processed state or the pelt of any animal killed for the animal's fur". Going forward there will be a ban on mink, fox, rabbit, karakul lamb and raccoon dog fur. Lamb, goat and alpaca can still be used.
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By shunning fur, Gucci follows in the footsteps of brands like Armani, Hugo Boss and staunch animal rights campaigner Stella McCartney.
Photo: © Getty Images Current Gucci fur items will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting LAV and the HSUS.
"Gucci's decision is a game-changing moment in the fashion industry," HSUS's PJ Smith enthused. "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."