Fashion Designers Call For Ban On Fur Sales In The UK

Prominent UK fashion designers signed a letter to the British prime minister urging the government to ban fur sales in the UK. This legislation would make Britain the first fur-free country in the world to ban the import and sales of real fur.   

The list of designers who signed the letter includes Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood, Shrimps founder Hannah Weiland. The Humane Society International co-signed the letter. 

The signatories claim there is “dwindling” interest in fur products. The letter says: “The sale of fur is simply not aligned with the ethical trajectory of the vast majority of retailers, designers and businesses that make up the British fashion retail industry.” The designers claim they are able to make clothes “without being complicit in the suffering caused by the fur trade”

The letter was sent to Boris Johnson’s office last week. A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the office would “respond in due course”.

Stella McCartney said: “Fur has no place in any compassionate society, and today its use is unnecessary and inexcusable. Plainly, fur is immoral, cruel and barbaric”.

According to data from the Humane Society International, almost three-quarters of the Brits would support the ban on the import and sale of animal fur.

“It does surprise me when brands still make the active decision to work with real fur, especially when there are such good faux alternatives out there” said Hannah Weiland. “I think the fashion industry has the most power in terms of making policy change,” she added.

The UK became the first country in Europe to ban fur farming in 2000. Since then, most of the British fashion houses have banned the use of fur in their clothes and accessories.