Rick Owens Bans All Fur Use in Future Collections
The decision came after a recent animal rights protest campaign that targeted the brand.
Summary
- Rick Owens officially banned animal fur in all future products on December 15
- The decision followed a five-day protest campaign by the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT)
- The brand joins the growing industry trend toward fur-free policies
In a significant move toward ethical sourcing, Rick Owens has officially confirmed it will cease the use of all animal fur in future collections and products. The decision, announced by the brand on December 15, comes directly in response to a recent animal rights protest campaign.
The policy change was announced on the brand’s official website within the “Eco-Aware” page, where a new statement notes: “Over the past decade, we reduced and eventually ceased the production of fur. We will not engage in fur production in the future.” This commitment was immediately reflected on its e-commerce platform, where an originally available mink handbag was promptly removed.
The catalyst for this decision was a five-day protest campaign led by the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT), beginning on December 10. CAFT specifically targeted Rick Owens due to the brand’s historically heavy use of animal furs in items, such as apparel and boots. The campaign involved demonstrations at key locations for the brand, including the venue of the “Rust Never Sleeps” exhibition by Rick Owens Furniture in London, and Rick Owens’ retail stores in Los Angeles and New York City.
The Owenscorp’s decision mirrors a broader industry trend toward fur-free policies. Recent examples include Condé Nast‘s global fur ban across its publications in October and the Council of Fashion Designers of America‘s declaration to prohibit fur from New York Fashion Week earlier this month.
