Gucci Announces It’s Going Fur Free

The new policy will come into play in 2018

If there was a shoe that has defined the last season or two, it’s undoubtedly Gucci‘s backless fur-lined loafers that everyone in the fash pack wore on repeat. But it seems that the now-iconic shoe may be a silhouette of the past as Gucci has just revealed it will go fur free from next year.

Marco Bizarri, the brand’s CEO, revealed the decision overnight during a talk at The London College of Fashion and said the policy would take hold from S/S18. “Being socially responsible is one of Gucci’s core values, and we will continue to strive to do better for the environment and animals. With the help of HSUS [The Humane Society of the US] and LAV [an Italian-based animal welfare group], Gucci is excited to take this next step and hopes it will inspire innovation and raise awareness, changing the luxury fashion industry for the better.”

By teaming up with HSUS and LAV, Gucci has joined the Fur Free Alliance and will now no longer use any animal fur – including mink, coyote, raccoon, fox, rabbit and any other animal bred or caught for the purpose of its fur – in any of its designs.

It’s an important step for the house to take and it now joins the likes of Stella McCartney, Giorgio Armani and Net-a-Porter in its commitment to animals. Plus, if a house like Gucci, who regularly sends statement fur coats down the runway and popularised the aforementioned shoe, can take a stand, there’s not much stopping any other luxury fashion house from doing the same.