PARIS: Italy’s Gucci will stop using fur in its designs from next year, joining a growing number of fashion houses looking at alternatives amid pressure from animal rights activists and changing consumer tastes.
Gucci, part of Paris-based luxury conglomerate Kering , has seen its sales rise over the past two years under creative director Alessandro Michele.
Marco Bizzarri, Gucci’s chief executive, said the brand would drop fur starting from its spring and summer 2018 collection, adding that the decision had been taken alongside Michele.
“In selecting a new creative director I wanted to find someone who shared a belief in the importance of the same values,” Bizzarri said.
Gucci, which has produced fur-lined loafers and luxurious mink fur coats in the past, is the latest label or major retailer to stop using fur.
In June, Yoox Net-A-Porter, a multi-brand online luxury retailer, adopted a fur-free policy on accessories and clothing sold on the site.
Anti-fur protesters have been known to demonstrate outside catwalk shows at fashion weeks around the world to call for an end to practices many see as cruel to animals, and luxury goods buyers have become more sensitive to environmental issues, too.
Many top end labels are tightening their policies on how leather is sourced from tanneries and how they obtain furs, after a series of scandals over how animals are treated in breeding farms.
Animal rights campaigners welcomed the move from Gucci, saying it could have a knock-on effect.
“Gucci’s decision will radically change the future of fashion,” Simone Pavesi, manager of animal-free fashion at Italian campaign group LAV. “As fashion becomes more and more ethical, supply chains that revolve around animals will be a thing of the past.”
Italian fashion house Gucci to stop using fur
Italian fashion house Gucci to stop using fur
Amira Al-Zuhair stars in Ramadan campaign for Loro Piana
- Saudi French model wears a long olive-green dress
- Begun the year with many high-profile appearances
DUBAI: Saudi French model Amira Al-Zuhair this week fronted a Ramadan campaign for Italian luxury brand Loro Piana.
In images shared on the brand’s Instagram page, Al-Zuhair wears a floor-length olive-green dress featuring a V-neckline, defined waist seam, and fluid cape-style sleeves falling from the shoulders.
According to the brand’s caption, the Ramadan capsule highlights “intricate detailing and the beauty of simplicity,” presenting a wardrobe of comfortable silhouettes.
Shot in the warm, diffused light of a pottery artist’s studio, the campaign centers on elongated shapes, clean lines, and a muted palette of sage and sand tones.
Al-Zuhair has begun the year with a series of high-profile appearances. In addition to the Loro Piana campaign, she walked the runway at Jacquemus’ Fall/Winter 2026 “Le Palmier” show in Paris last month.
The event, staged at the Musee National Picasso, brought Simon Porte Jacquemus’ latest co-ed collection to life with playful yet sculptural silhouettes, blending mid-century couture references and 1990s sensibilities.
“Merci infiniment Simon. It was an honor to be part of this iconic show with such an amazing team, congratulations! Thank you for having me,” posted Al-Zuhair.
The model closed a segment of the show in an ensemble that captured the collection’s nod to both elegant simplicity and bold form.
She wore a black midi skirt with a structured blazer top with cutout detail at the back, cinched at the waist with a wide belt. The look was completed with a wide-brimmed hat that added a touch of drama.
The Jacquemus presentation, which also acted as the finale of Paris Men’s Fashion Week, wove together confetti-like motifs, geometric forms and a celebration of joie de vivre, encapsulating Jacquemus’ irreverent yet refined vision ahead of the upcoming couture season.
Al-Zuhair, born in Paris to a French mother and Saudi father, has appeared on the runway for renowned fashion houses.
She has walked for Missoni, Maison Alaia, Brunello Cucinelli, Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, Giambattista Valli, Giorgio Armani, Elie Saab and more.
In addition to her runway appearances, Al-Zuhair has featured in campaigns for brands including Prada, Chanel and Carolina Herrera.
