VF Corporation has joined the likes of Next, Asos and Marks & Spencer after signing up to the Fur Free Retailer program.
As part of the program, VF Corporation will strengthen its commitment to fur-free products while communicating its no fur policy to all of its brands and retail fascias in its portfolio – which includes Lee, The North Face, Vans, Timbaland and Wrangler.
The move comes after VF Corp launched its first animal-derived policy earlier this year and announced that none of its brands would use fur, angora or exotic leather.
“In joining the Fur Free Retailer program, VF and our brands are once again proving that we’re serious about animal welfare,” global corporate sustainability vice president Letitia Webster said.
“Sustainability and respect for nature are fundamental values for VF and all our brands, and we will continue to partner with respected animal-rights organizations and like-minded companies to promote the development of viable commercial substitutes to animal materials.”
The Fur Free Retailer program comes from the Fur Free Alliance, an international coalition of 43 animal protection organisations.
VF Corp worked specifically with the Humane Society of the United States, Italian animal rights organization LAV and Four Paws to form its global animal welfare policies and strategies.
“We’re delighted to welcome VF Corporation as a partner to the Fur Free Retailer program,” Fur Free Alliance chairman Joh Vinding said.
“In the fur trade animals are subjected to terrible conditions, living out their lives in small barren cages.
“With the help of forward-thinking and innovative companies such as VF Corporation this is quickly changing, making fur-free the new norm in the entire fashion industry.”
Other major retailers that have signed up to the Fur Free Retailer programme include Topshop, Zara, Hugo Boss, Yoox Net-a-Porter, Zalando, Gucci, and Armani.
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