The fur revival in the 1990s and the 2000s was reflected on runways such as New York Fashion Week (NYFW), but as opposition to its use has mounted and that usage has declined, it’s turning its back on the material with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) banning it for the future.
‘Fur’ seen on the New York runways in recent seasons has largely been faux, such as from Michael Kors (above). But the real thing is still seen. Beginning from September 2026 though, the CFDA will no longer permit animal fur in collections on the Official NYFW Schedule. It said this timeline “gives designers space to adjust their materials and show plans”.
The CFDA owns and organises the fashion calendar for NYFW and has also said that it will “no longer promote animal fur at any Official NYFW Schedule events”. The announcement was made in collaboration with Humane World for Animals and Collective Fashion Justice and followed “years of engagement” with the groups.
Farmed or trapped fur from animals killed specifically for their pelts — including but not limited to mink, fox, rabbit, karakul lamb, chinchilla, coyote, and raccoon dog — is not allowed. An exemption applies only to animal fur obtained by Indigenous communities through traditional subsistence hunting practices.
The CFDA also said it will support designers through this transition and continue to provide resources on alternatives.
And it’s “committed to offering educational materials and a material library so [designers] can explore more innovative and sustainable materials”.
The move puts it in line with London Fashion Week, which ended its promotion of fur in 2023, as well as events in Copenhagen, Berlin, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Helsinki and Melbourne. And it comes after Vogue publisher Conde Nast recently banned animal fur in editorial content or advertising. Elle and InStyle had previously done the same.
CFDA chief Steven Kolb highlighted that there’s “already little to no fur shown at NYFW, but by taking this position, the CFDA hopes to inspire American designers to think more deeply about the fashion industry’s impact on animals. Consumers are moving away from products associated with animal cruelty, and we want to position American fashion as a leader on those fronts, while also driving material innovation”.
