Trapping Reform in Wyoming

Social Icons

Wyoming Untrapped Logo

Breaking news: Neiman Marcus Group will ditch fur

A group of red fox kits, Vulpes vulpes, with adult and pups bonding and grooming.

Today, we are one step closer to a fur-free society now that Neiman Marcus Group, which includes retailers Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Last Call and Horchow, has just announced it will end its use of animal fur in favor of more ethical alternatives. The luxury retailer will end its use of animal fur, and will close all of its fur salons, by early 2023. The new policy is part of a larger strategy by the company to place sustainability and ethics at the heart of its brand.

The Neiman Marcus announcement further signifies the end of animal fur at America’s top luxury retailers. The group’s CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck explained the decision: “It is clear the future is fur-free, and that includes the ultra-luxury space. As a leader in luxury retail, NMG has an opportunity to make a positive impact and help build a better future for our industry. We’re grateful to the Humane Society of the United States for their partnership.”

Going fur-free is a fashion trend that’s here to stay. This announcement follows similar commitments last week by outerwear brand Canada Goose and Canadian luxury retailer Holt Renfrew. Also, Israel became the first country in the world to ban fur sales earlier this month, and the U.K. is now considering a similar ban. California banned fur sales in 2019 after four of its cities—Los Angeles, San Francisco, West Hollywood and Berkeley—passed local ordinances phasing out fur sales. Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s have all also committed to ending the sale of fur. While lower-priced retail chains such as Dillard’s, Kohl’s and Belk have yet to go fur-free, we are dedicated to working with all apparel companies to create a fur-free retail world.

We work with retailers to adopt fur-free policies because they have the capacity to save hundreds of thousands—perhaps millions—of mink, foxes, raccoon dogs, rabbits and chinchillas from ever having to know what the inside of a cramped fur-farm cage looks like. Plus, fur-free policies help forge a more humane world for animals by challenging the fur trade head on and eliminating the demand for its products, making production economically unviable.

Our fur farm investigations continue to show the unbearable existence these wild animals endure before they are brutally killed. There’s no justification for continuing this industry especially now that faux fur alternatives like bio-based Koba fur favored by Stella McCartney’s are readily available. Not only do these alternatives save the lives of animals, but they’re better for the planet, too.

The modern idea of luxury embraces these innovations, and it’s clear that today’s consumer considers animal welfare a high priority. For a top luxury retailer like Neiman Marcus to now join the campaign for a more humane world is a nod to all those who have been fighting against fur for so long. Together, with compassion and perseverance, we are making a difference for so many animals.

Follow Kitty Block on Twitter @HSUSKittyBlock.

See full article

2 Comments

  • Norman Browning

    I would still prefer REAL FUR! Like real leather and silk!

    • Wyoming Untrapped

      Thanks for your comment, Norman. Wearing fur is a choice. However, what we have learned is that there are alternative options to eliminate the killing of wild animals for their fur.

Post A Comment