ROME, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Italy's National Animal Protection Organization (ENPA) on Thursday hailed the announcement by Gucci fashion brand that it would abandon the use of animal fur in its designs, beginning in 2018.
"We wish to express our gratitude to the president of Gucci for finally embracing cruelty-free fashion," ENPA president Carla Rocchi wrote in a statement. Gucci president and CEO Marco Bizzarri made their announcement on Wednesday during a talk at the London College of Fashion.
"The success of fur-free fashion, confirmed by the growing number of companies that are abandoning the use of (animal) leather and fur, demonstrates that ethics and business are not necessarily opposed," Rocchi wrote.
Italy's Anti-Vivisection League (LAV) also hailed the "historic turning point in fashion" represented by Gucci's decision to abandon fur, beginning with its Spring/Summer 2018 collection.
"Gucci collections will no longer include fur from mink, fox, sable, astrakhan, rabbit, opossum, and many other animals," the LAV said in a statement, "This is a historic result."
Gucci joins other global clothing brands such as Armani, Hugo Boss, Stella McCartney, Yoox Net-a-Porter, and Zara in embracing a fur-free policy as part of the global Fur Free Alliance, which lists all the adhering companies on its website. "We will continue to strive to do better for the environment and animals," Gucci chief Bizzarri said in a statement.
"Gucci is taking a bold stand for animals, showing the world that the future of fashion is fur-free," said Joh Vinding, chairman of the Fur Free Alliance. According to its website, worldwide 100 million animals are killed for their fur every year. They are subjected to intense cruelty all their lives and in their manner of death.
Public opinion in Italy seems to support the cruelty-free ethic, according to a 2016 report by Italian think tank EURISPES. At least 86.6 percent of Italians are against the use of animal fur, 80 percent are against vivisection, 71.4 percent oppose the use of circus animals, 68.5 percent are opposed to hunting, and 54.9 percent are against keeping animals in zoos, according to a report by the think tank.
Gucci is owned by the Kering Group, which also owns brands such as Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, and many others.
