Washington, D.C. — Michael Kors Holdings Limited, a global fashion luxury group, announced today that it will no longer use animal fur in its products, with production being phased out by the end of December 2018. With this announcement, Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo have joined the international Fur Free Retailer Program.
“I am pleased to announce our company’s commitment to no longer use animal fur in our Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo collections,” said John D. Idol, the Company’s Chairman and CEO. “This decision marks a new chapter as our company continues to evolve its use of innovative materials.”
“Due to technological advances in fabrications, we now have the ability to create a luxe aesthetic using non-animal fur,” said designer Michael Kors. “We will showcase these new techniques in our upcoming runway show in February.”
Joh Vinding, Chairman of the Fur Free Alliance, said: “The Fur Free Alliance congratulates Michael Kors for this monumental achievement. It’s becoming increasingly clear that fashion companies and consumers alike want nothing to do with unnecessary animal cruelty, especially when innovative alternatives are available.”
Prashant Khetan, Born Free USA CEO and General Counsel, said: “We welcome Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo to the Fur Free Retailer program and congratulate the companies on the compassionate decision to go fur-free. 2017 has been a remarkable year for fur-free fashion, with numerous influential, global designers, brands, and retailers adopting fur-free policies. The future of fashion really is fur-free.”
Michael Kors joins Gucci, Armani, Yoox Net-a-Porter, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss as fur-free leaders in luxury fashion.
About Born Free USA
Born Free USA, a national 501(c)(3), believes that every individual animal matters. Inspired by the Academy Award®-winning film Born Free, the organization works locally, nationally, and internationally on the conservation frontlines, in communities, classrooms, courtrooms, and the halls of Congress, to end wild animal cruelty and suffering, and protect threatened wildlife.
Launched in 2002, Born Free USA was inspired by Virginia McKenna and her (late) husband Bill Travers, who, along with their son, Will, founded The Born Free Foundation (UK) in 1984. Their experience in Kenya filming the classic 1966 Academy Award®-winning film Born Free, the story of Joy and George Adamson’s fight to successfully return Elsa the lioness to a wild and free life, launched the couple’s “compassionate conservation” movement, aimed at keeping wildlife in the wild. This movement continues to motivate millions of followers and activists across the globe. In 2007, Born Free USA merged with the Animal Protection Institute.
To support Born Free USA and make a donation, visit http://bit.ly/WildlifeDonation.
Follow or friend us at: www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa, www.instagram.com/bornfreeusaorg.