Italian Designer Debuts Denim-Based Fur Alternative

Italian designer Tiziano Guardini collaborated with denim brand ISKO to debut his new clothing collection made with an animal-free alternative to fur. The collection features what Guardini calls “denim fur” made with both organic and pre-consumer recycled cotton that he used in place of fur to create full coats and embellish collars on jackets. Guardini experimented with a number of animal-free alternatives to create vegan fur, including pine needles before landing on denim-based fur. “We believe that denim fur can be a responsible, fun, hype- and cruelty-free alternative to animal fur,” ISKO brand director Fabio Di Liberto told The Independent. “Western countries do not need to use animal furs, but some fashion houses continue to do so. I’m hoping that by creating a sustainable alternative such as denim fur, we will be able to show people that fur alternatives are just as beautiful and aesthetically pleasing as the real thing.” In recent months, a number of fashion brands—including Michael Kors, Gucci, Armani, and BCBG—have agreed to remove fur from their collections.