Washington, D.C. — Born Free USA, a member of the Fur Free Alliance, applauds luxury brand Hugo Boss for phasing out the use of all real animal fur. The decision was announced in the Hugo Boss Sustainability Report and follows discussions between Hugo Boss and the Fur Free Alliance over the past several months. Hugo Boss will be dropping all fur, including rabbit fur, from its Fall/Winter 2016 Collection onward.[teaserbreak]
Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA and the Born Free Foundation, said, “We are grateful to Hugo Boss for its decision to join the hundreds of other designers and retailers worldwide who have stopped using fur in fashion. The grim reality is that fur kills. Every retailer that decides to go fur-free ensures that fewer animals are brutally and barbarically slaughtered for their fur. We need consumers to show respect for wildlife, and encourage and support those designers who are willing to lead and go fur-free.”
By selling real animal fur, companies are supporting an industry that is responsible for the deaths of millions of animals held captive and killed in barbaric ways, including confinement in small wire cages for their entire lives and anal electrocution.
Bernd Keller, Brand and Creative Director Sportswear at Hugo Boss, said in the company’s Sustainability Report, “From our Fall/Winter 2016 Collection onward, we will no longer be using raccoon dog or rex rabbits. This means we will not be using any farmed fur in any of our Hugo Boss clothing collections and are sending out a clear signal… Today, we are therefore also successfully supplying ‘friendly fur’ and ‘friendly leather’ products. We want to use these products to inspire the present generation and especially the next generation with a new kind of luxury.”
Joh Vinding, Chairman of the Fur Free Alliance, says, “Hugo Boss has become a leader in the fashion world by taking a stand against animal cruelty and ending the use of fur in collections. The Fur Free Alliance hopes other luxury brands will follow Hugo Boss’ lead, especially since there are now so many cruelty-free alternatives that are fashionable and indistinguishable from the real thing.”
Hugo Boss is joining such brands as American Apparel, Esprit, H&M, Steve Madden, Marks & Spencer, and Topshop. For a full list of fur-free fashion retailers, click here.
The Fur Free Alliance is an international coalition of animal protection organizations working to bring an end to the exploitation and killing of animals for their fur. The Fur Free Alliance represents more than 40 animal protection organizations in 28 countries and millions of supporters worldwide.
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation”—the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media Contact: Rodi Rosensweig, 203/270-8929, therodicompany@gmail.com