Dolce & Gabbana has shared its commitment to go fur and angora free with the international animal protection organization, In Defense of Animals (IDA).

IDA has been campaigning to end the fur trade since the 1980s. It celebrated the Dolce & Gabbana announcement after 9,000 people signed an alert urging the company to go fur-free.

It’s the second Italian luxury brand to make such a commitment this week after Moncler promised to phase out fur by 2025.

According to IDA, the fashion industry kills around 100 million animals for fur each year. This includes approximately two million dogs and cats.

Fur and fashion

Fur-bearing animals include mink, foxes, raccoons, and rabbits among other species are often confined to filthy, cramped cages for prolonged periods. 

Dolce & Gabbana is one of many fashion houses enacting a fur ban. This comes as consumer demand for compassionately made fashion continues to mount.

Last year a host of celebrities led by sustainable designer, Stella Mcartney, supported a Humane Society International petition to end the global fur trade.

Mega retailers such as Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf, H&M and many more, no longer sell fur. And luxury designers like Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Moncler to name a few, have already committed to more ethically made clothing and apparel by removing fur.

In Defense of Animals is urging more designers to follow in Dolce & Gabbana’s footsteps. 

Communications director, Fleur Dawes, said: “Clothing and accessories needn’t harm animals. We urge all designers to follow suit by ditching all fabrics made from animal fur and skin.”