Animal rights activists have stepped up pressure on Milan Fashion Week to adopt a completely fur-free policy, with dozens of protesters gathering outside the Giorgio Armani show on Sunday.
Although the Armani group gave up fur a decade ago, activists hope the powerful luxury house can convince the National Chamber of Italian Fashion (CNMI), which organizes the fashion week, to prevent brands using fur from participating.
Sunday’s protest was one of several actions in Milan this week by international anti-fur activists united under the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT).
Behind a barrier and a large banner proclaiming “Milan Fashion Week, go fur-free fashion”, activists with a megaphone shouted “Shame on you for what you are doing!” as guests exit the Armani fashion show.
The use of fur in the global fashion industry has declined sharply in recent years, driven by concerns over animal cruelty, changing trends and the emergence of new synthetic alternatives.
But there remain notable exceptions, such as Fendi, owned by the French group LVMH, an illustrious Italian luxury house whose history is closely linked to fur.
Pierre-Emmanuel Angeloglou, general manager of Fendi, sits on the board of directors of the CNMI alongside brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Prada, which have already given up on fur. Activists hope these anti-fur designers can convince Milan Fashion Week to ban fur, as London and New York have already done.
Smaller fashion weeks, including Berlin, Copenhagen and Amsterdam, have also banned fur. “It will not be Fendi who will help us achieve our goal, because they have no interest in advancing this cause, but other brands could contribute,” Alberto Bianchi, 25, one of the organizers of the demonstration, told AFP. The CNMI did not respond to AFP’s request for comment.
published on March 1 at 6:58 p.m., AFP
