New York Fashion Week Just Banned Fur, Signaling a New Era of Compassionate Fashion
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New York Fashion Week bans fur, marking a major victory for animals.
New York Fashion Week has officially banned fur from its runways—a milestone years in the making, and a powerful testament to what happens when we refuse to look away from cruelty. For decades, activists across the spectrum, including World Animal Protection, have publicly protested and advocated behind the scenes, demanding that the fashion industry stop profiting from suffering.
This week, our persistence paid off.
The fur-free shift at one of the world’s most influential fashion events marks a cultural turning point. It shows what’s possible when we remain anchored in our core values of protecting animals, even when progress feels slow. Change in the fashion world does not happen overnight, but victories like this remind us that a kinder future is within reach.
We applaud the CFDA for taking this landmark step to help ensure animals no longer suffer for fashion. For decades, animal advocates have marched, protested, and sounded the alarm about the cruelty inherent in the fur industry. This decision follows closely on the heels of Poland, the world’s second-largest producer of fur, banning fur production. We hope that other fashion weeks and brands will follow in the footsteps of NY, London, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and more and eliminate fur, as well as feathers and skins, from fashion forever. The writing is on the wall: the future of fashion is unmistakably fur-free.
A Global Movement Gains Momentum
The NYFW ban comes on the heels of another groundbreaking win for animals: Poland—the world’s second-largest supplier of fur—has officially banned fur farming. This decision doesn’t just shake the foundation of a notoriously cruel industry; it signals a broader international reckoning with the ethics of exploiting fur-bearing animals for fashion.
When major producers walk away from fur, the industry’s future becomes clear: cruelty has no place in clothing.
What to Do With Vintage Fur You No Longer Wear
Many people still have fur coats or trim passed down through generations—pieces that carry history, but no longer align with their values. If you’ve been unsure what to do with a vintage fur you don’t wear, one meaningful option is to donate it to wildlife rehabilitation centers.
These organizations can repurpose real fur as bedding for orphaned or injured wild animals recovering from trauma. While no animal should ever suffer for fashion, donated fur can offer warmth and comfort to an animal in need.
If you’re ready to give your fur coat a new purpose, contact a reputable wildlife rescue in your region to see if they accept donations.
The End of Fur Is Within Our Grasp
The fashion industry is changing because activists stood firm in their belief that animals deserve better. The New York Fashion Week ban, paired with Poland’s monumental fur-farming ban, shows that progress is accelerating—and that every action contributes to a future free from fur cruelty.
But our work is far from finished.
Urge Congress to Protect Mink—and People
Take the next step by urging your representative to support the Mink VIRUS Act, which would end mink farming in the United States and protect both animals and public health.