- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Flipboard
- Share this article on Email
- Show additional share options
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Pinit
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Tumblr
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Print
- Share this article on Comment
Gucci is going fur-free.
Marco Bizzarri, president and CEO of Gucci, announced Wednesday at the annual Kering Talk at London College of Fashion that the Italian fashion house is going to stop producing fur. Gucci joins the Fur Free Alliance in eliminating animal fur from the spring 2018 collection and onwards.
Gucci’s fur-free decision is part of the company’s new 10-year “Culture of Purpose” sustainability plan, which also includes the house’s commitment to contribute 1 million euros as a founding partner of UNICEF’s Girls’ Empowerment Initiative. The announcement falls on the same day as International Day of the Girl.
“Our new 10-year ‘Culture of Purpose’ sustainability plan has three principal focuses: the Environment, Humanity and New Models,” stated Bizzarri, who adds that the plan demonstrates the company’s “absolute commitment to making sustainability an intrinsic part of our business.”
Bizzarri also noted that the plan is a vision he shares with creative director Alessandro Michele, stating, “In selecting a new creative director I wanted to find someone who shared a belief in the importance of the same values. I sensed that immediately on meeting Alessandro for the first time. Together, by committing to a culture of purpose, taking responsibility and encouraging respect, inclusivity and empowerment, we want to create the necessary conditions for a progressive approach to sustainability.”
As part of the “Culture of Purpose” plan, Gucci states that it is committed to reducing its environmental impact; dedicated to enhancing the lives of the people who make its products as well as supporting communities; and devoted to applying technical innovation to improve efficiency in its production and logistics.
Armani announced in 2016 that it was going fur-free, and the Yoox Net-a-Porter Group — Net-a-Porter, Mr. Porter, The Outnet and Yoox — also said this year that it would no longer sell fur products on its e-commerce platforms.
The announcement comes on the heels of the brand receiving the Green Carpet Fashion award for sustainable innovation.
In 2008, PETA slammed Gucci for selling seal-fur boots in Russia.
“After more than 20 years of PETA protests against Gucci’s kangaroo-fur loafers and seal-fur boots, Gucci has finally pledged to join Armani, Ralph Lauren, and Stella McCartney in the ranks of fur-free fashion houses,” PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said in a statement following the house’s announcement. “The writing was on the wall: Today’s shoppers don’t want to wear the skins of animals who were caged, then electrocuted or bludgeoned to death. Until all animal skins and coats are finally off the racks of clothing stores worldwide, PETA will keep up the pressure on the clothing and fashion industry.”
4:05 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11: Updated with a statement from PETA.
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day