This
year was the biggest year for the International Fur Free Retailer Program (
www.furfreeretailer.com) since its launch in 2006, with more
than 50 retailers signing on in 2012 and a record number (20) of countries
served by the program, reports Born Free USA, founding partner and organizer of
the program.
The
year not only set a record for how many retailers joined the program, but it
also was a year that featured the widest variety of retailers from around the
globe, including maternity wear, sportswear, eco-friendly, faux-fur-focused,
ballroom, consignment and more.
According
to Adam Roberts, executive vice president of Born Free USA: “Little by little,
retailers are stepping up worldwide to take a stand against the use of fur in
fashion. We are proud that the program is attracting an increase in participants
and hope this trend continues with great strength. Another year cannot go by
when animals are brutally killed for their fur. We need consumers to take a
stand to respect wildlife, and encourage and support those retailers willing to
go fur-free.”
Monica
Engebretson, senior program associate for Born Free USA, adds, “Fashion
designers, retailers and consumers must realize that fur garments are bad for
the animals and bad for the environment, and have no place in the future of
fashion.”
Some
of the largest and most notable retailers around the world to join this year
include:
- ASOS,
the United Kingdom’s largest online-only fashion and beauty store shipping to
more than 190 countries.
- COS
(Collection of Style), an H&M concept store with 40 storefronts across
Europe, Asia and the Middle East. COS has been fur-free since its inception and
signed onto the program to further support the concept.
- Elisabetta
Franchi, a top Italian fashion brand with stores in Italy and 35 other
locations.
- ZERO,
a German fashion company headquartered in Bremen.
- Noppies,
a retailer specializing in maternity wear available in the Netherlands, Germany
and Belgium.
- ORMAR,
a Croatian online retailer.
- Sage
and Ivy, based in The Netherlands, is an eco-friendly fashion line committed to
using materials produced in ethical circumstances.
- Encore
Ballroom Couture in the United States features ballroom, specialty, cocktail and
evening dresses, and is the leading consignment and rental company in the
industry. Its dresses are seen on the ABC television show “Dancing with the
Stars.”
- Brunotti,
distributed in more than 20 countries, including throughout Europe, South Africa
and Turkey.
- Designer
Dutchess specializes in faux fur and is the first Australian retailer to
join.
Engebretson
adds, “Consumers can help by only spending their fashion dollars at fur-free
retailers and designers, never purchasing clothing from designers and retailers
who sell or use real fur, and supporting retailers and designers who have signed
on to the International Fur Free Retailer Program and put their fur-free
commitment in writing.”
Co-founded by Born Free USA, the program is an
international effort to give consumers accurate information about a retailer's
fur policy, allowing consumers to make an informed choice when shopping. The
program aims to further the spirit of ethical consumerism and provide shoppers
with information about the most compassionate retailers in the world. The
program recognizes and supports retailers who have committed, in writing, to a
no-fur policy. Without that written commitment, the Fur Free Retail Program will
not endorse any company regardless of its current inventory.
Taking
an ethical and public stand against fur fashion offers a company a chance to
promote a public policy against violence and cruelty, and to lend its support to
the international efforts to end this unnecessary and cruel fashion choice.
The
program is also supported by the Fur Free Alliance (FFA), an international
coalition of leading animal and environmental protection organizations
worldwide. These organizations facilitate the Fur Free Retailer program in their
country.
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