The Armani Group, which owns brands including Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, EA7, and Armani Exchange, has announced that it has banned the use of angora wool in future products. The decision follows talks with the PETA animal welfare organisation about concerns over the treatment of angora rabbits from which the fibre is sourced.
The company, which banned the use of fur in its products in 2016, joins brands including Valentino, Gucci, Calvin Klein, Burberry, Tommy Hilfiger and Stella McCartney in stopping the use of angora.
Mimi Bekhechi, PETA UK’s Vice President of international programmes, said: “Today’s socially conscious fashion consumers want nothing to do with an industry that rips the hair out of fully conscious rabbits’ bodies.
“PETA is celebrating Armani’s decision to extend their no-fur policy to include angora, and encourages all designers still using it to get with the times.”
Meanwhile, Canadian outdoorwear brand Rudsak has confirmed that it will no longer use fur in its products from the end of 2022, following a protest campaign by animal rights activists in Quebec.
“Grassroots activists and PETA are celebrating RUDSAK’s compassionate and savvy decision to join the vast majority of the fashion world in saying goodbye to the cruel fur industry,” commented PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman.
