CFDA bans fur at New York Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week (NYFW) has joined the growing number of industry events banning fur from their platforms. This was confirmed by the US fashion association Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). The decision was made to encourage U.S. designers to rethink the industry’s impact on animals.

The ban will come into force with the September 2026 edition of Fashion Week. From this point on, animal fur is no longer permitted. These include, among others, mink, fox, rabbit, karakul sheep, chinchilla, coyote and raccoon dog. An exception applies to animal fur obtained by indigenous communities through “traditional subsistence hunting methods”.

According to the CFDA, the schedule gives designers room to adjust their materials and show plans. The association noted that it will support affected creatives during the transition. While NYFW participants are encouraged to make their own business decisions, the CFDA underscored its commitment to providing educational materials. This is intended to promote the use of alternative materials.

In a statement, CFDA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President Steven Kolb said, “There is already little to no fur shown at NYFW.” Kolb added, “By taking this position, however, the CFDA hopes to inspire American designers to think more deeply about the fashion industry’s impact on animals.” Consumers are moving away from products associated with animal cruelty. “We want to position American fashion as a leader on these fronts while driving material innovation,” Kolb continued.

NYFW joins other global fashion weeks that have enacted a fur ban. These include London, Copenhagen, Berlin, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Helsinki and Melbourne. Vogue parent company Condé Nast took a similar stance this year. The media group banned animal fur from editorial content and advertising.