Fashion Giant Versace Ditches Fur

Fashion label Versace will no longer create garments with animal fur. Designer Donatella Versace—who inherited the brand from her late brother Gianni Versace—made the announcement in interview with The Economist’s 1843 magazine. “Fur? I am out of that,” Versace said. “I don’t want to kill animals to make fashion. It doesn’t feel right.” Dan Matthews, senior vice president of animal-rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) praised Versace’s decision to abandon fur. “PETA led runway disruptions, protests, and a 2006 ad blitz at a time when Versace was synonymous with fur, so this news is most welcome,” Mathews said. “Donatella’s realization that it’s wrong to bludgeon and electrocute animals for fur is a major turning point in the campaign for compassionate fashion, and PETA looks forward to seeing a leather-free Versace next.” A number of fashion brands—including Armani, Gucci, and Michael Kors—have recently announced that they will no longer use animal fur in their collections.