The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), owner and organizer of New York Fashion Week (NYFW), announced on December 3, 2025, a historic measure: the ban on the use and promotion of animal fur in fashion shows.
The regulation will come into effect in September 2026, in collaboration with Humane World of Animals and Collective Fashion Justice, organizations with which the CFDA has long been working.
A Transition Towards a Fur-Free Future
The CFDA confirmed that the ban will apply not only on the runways but also across all its communication channels, social media, websites, and official calendars.
The announcement, made in advance, will allow designers to adjust materials and collections for the Spring/Summer 2027 season. In the Fall/Winter 2026 season, some garments with animal fur might still be seen, but it will be the last time on the New York runway.
“There is already little or no fur shown at NYFW, but by taking this stance, the CFDA hopes to inspire American designers to think more deeply about the fashion industry’s impact on animals,” stated Steven Kolb, CEO and president of the CFDA.
Impact on the Industry and Animals
The measure involves the ban on hunting animals specifically for fur sales, such as mink, fox, rabbit, raccoon dog, chinchilla, karakul lamb, and coyote, among others. Indigenous communities, which maintain traditional hunting practices, are exempted.
For PJ Smith, director of fashion policy at Humane World of Animals:
“Policies like these will create a cleaner and more humane industry without sacrificing creativity or beauty, and will help usher in a fur-free future.”
New York Follows London’s Example
The London Fashion Week was the first to ban fur in 2018. Now, New York becomes the second major fashion capital to adopt this measure, while Milan and Paris continue to showcase fur on their runways.
This change positions New York as a global leader in ethical innovation, sending a clear message about the need to transform fashion towards more sustainable and compassionate practices.
Sustainable Alternatives to Animal Fur
The ban promotes the use of alternative materials that combine aesthetics, ethics, and sustainability.
Biomass and Plant-Based
- Piñatex: vegan leather made from pineapple leaf fibers.
- Nopal leather: durable, eco-friendly, and similar to animal leather.
- Coconut leather (Malai): uses bacterial cellulose from coconut water.
- Cork: versatile and natural for accessories.
- Washable paper: durable and biodegradable, made from certified pulp.
Synthetic and Technological
- Faux leather: leather imitation made from polyurethane and cotton.
- Recycled synthetic fur: made from recovered plastics, including from the ocean.
- Technical fabrics: fleece, microfiber, and Gore-Tex.
- Merino wool: used to create more sustainable substitutes for synthetic fur.
Second-Hand and Reuse
- Vintage fashion: buying existing fur garments avoids encouraging new production.
- Reuse: repurposing old coats into blankets or donating them to animal shelters.
The CFDA’s decision marks a milestone in fashion history and reinforces New York’s commitment to a more ethical and sustainable future. By banning animal fur, Fashion Week aligns with the social and environmental demands of our time, demonstrating that creativity and beauty do not need animal suffering.
Innovative alternatives —from plant-based materials like Piñatex to recycled and vintage options— offer a range of possibilities for designers and consumers. Fashion is reinventing itself, and New York is positioning itself as a leader in this global transformation.
