The major fashion magazine, InStyle has just announced a complete ban on fur.
The publication’s editor-in-chief, Laura Brown, recognized the growing demand for fur-free fashion and took to Instagram to inform her 192,000 followers that since being employed by InStyle early last year, she has made a point to unofficially ban fur. Now the magazine will be writing Brown’s standpoint into company policy.
Brown captioned a quote graphic featuring a chinchilla: “[s]ince I started at @instylemagazine, we have not photographed or endorsed fur. But after doing a panel with the @humanesociety, I’ve written about it on my May editor’s letter. The tide is turning towards fur-free alternatives in the fashion industry, and we’re proud to be a part of it. Onward!”
The company’s new policy has since resulted in their employees to be given accolades from animal rights organizations the Humane Society and PETA. The Senior Vice President of PETA, Dan Mathews, has even arranged for chinchilla-shaped vegan chocolates to be sent to Brown and her team as a thank you for instigating a move into more compassionate fashion.
Fur-free fashion is a growing movement, among many clothing brands – just this year, Donatella announced Versace is now fur-free, a step which was echoed by the likes of Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. The former head of Dior recently ditched fur from his designer clothing, in addition to personally going vegetarian. Further, popular brands DKNY and Donna Karan have gone fur-free.
But the movement to ban fur goes much deeper than the brands, as entire nations are stamping out the sale of fur. India officially banned the import and sale of seal fur, just days ago, whilst Norway and San Francisco made similar moves not long ago. Britain is now also considering banning fur, following a successful campaign from major animal welfare organizations.
Fur clothing has always been controversial due to the inhumane practices used to acquire it. Over one billion furry animals are killed for their coats every year, including rabbits, foxes, seals, minks, chinchillas, bears, and dogs. Despite over 85 countries banning cruel leghold traps to obtain fur, it is still common practice for fur hunters in the U.S. to exploit this device.
Animals who fall victim to these traps remain pinned for days without basic necessities until a hunter returns to the trap to shoot, club, or choke the animal to death.
Image Credit: InStyle | Laura Brown
