Net-a-Porter goes completely fur-free

Net-a-Porter will no longer offer any clothing or accessories made with animal fur.

The online giant announced this at the beginning of the week. And because this decision was made by parent company Yook Net-a-Porter Group (YNAP), its subsidiaries Mr Porter, Yoox and The Outnet will also be fur-free going forward.

Taking public responsibility

The Milan-based company, founded in 2000 and since then the leading destination for luxury fashion, wants this decision to “demonstrate public responsibility and make a positive contribution to society,” as Matteo James Moroni, Head of Sustainability within the YNAP Group, is quoted in an official press release. The decision has far-reaching implications: through its numerous companies, the group reaches more than six million people worldwide — per month.

The company further explains that its long-standing relationships with the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International, and the Italian Lega Anti Vivisezione led to the decision.

Fur-free is the logical step

The YNAP Group is not alone in its new direction: numerous major fashion labels such as Armani, Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, Tommy Hilfiger and Alexa Chung have also recently chosen to go fur-free — in contrast to the likes of Prada or Gucci. At a time when we enthuse about vegan diets and avocado cakes, a fur-free wardrobe is simply the logical consequence. Next up would presumably be the beloved leather jacket.

Elisa Allen, Director of PETA U.K., had this to say about the good news: “Compassion is clearly in fashion.”

«Most stylish women would never feel chic wearing a coat or accessory made from the skin of an animal that probably spent its short, miserable life in a wire cage before being electrocuted or strangled,» said Elisa Allen in closing. The fur industry is a animal welfare issue, closely linked to recreational hunting and the exploitation of wild animals.