New York Fashion Week confirms fur free runway from 2026

New York Fashion Week (NYFW) has announced that from September 2026, no animal fur will be allowed on any official runway or on any event listed on the official fashion calendar.

This decision comes from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and is one of the most significant steps yet in the global movement toward ethical fashion.

The ban applies to fur from animals farmed or trapped for their pelts, including mink, fox, rabbit, chinchilla, coyote and raccoon dog. An exemption remains only for fur sourced through Indigenous subsistence hunting traditions.

This decision confirms that real fur no longer has a place in modern fashion and aligns NYFW with a rapidly growing international standard.

A growing global movement away from fur

NYFW is joining the list of fashion weeks that have already adopted or are adopting fur free or wildlife skin free policies. These include:

• London Fashion Week
•  Copenhagen Fashion Week
•  Berlin Fashion Week
•  Amsterdam Fashion Week
•  Helsinki Fashion Week
•  Stockholm Fashion Week
•  Melbourne Fashion Week

Some Fashion Weeks have taken a particularly strong stance, not only ending the use of fur but also extending policies to exclude all exotic animal skins.

This reflects an accelerated shift across Europe toward materials that do not involve cruelty to animals.

Designers were already moving away from fur

Many leading designers who show at NYFW had already removed fur from their collections years ago. Brands such as Michael Kors and Coach were among the early adopters of fur free policies.

This aligns with a wider trend in the industry where major fashion houses are abandoning fur and skins while investing in alternatives that prioritise animal welfare and sustainability.

Reinforcing responsible fashion and sustainability

The CFDA has framed the fur ban as part of a broader commitment to a more responsible and ethical fashion industry, recognising the urgent need to protect animals from unnecessary suffering.

Humane World for Animals estimates that around 20 million animals are currently subjected to cruelty for the sake of fur-based fashion.

Investment in plant-based textiles, recycled fibres, durable faux furs and other sustainable alternatives is increasing, and these materials are now being used at scale in luxury fashion.

By adopting these options, designers can prove that creativity can coexist with compassion, and help to significantly reduce the suffering of millions of animals.

Strengthening the case for humane fashion

A ban at one of the most influential fashion events in the world is a strong statement to make. It reinforces the growing public expectation that fashion should not involve animal cruelty.

It also demonstrates that ethical standards are becoming mainstream rather than niche.

Many animals that lose their lives for the fashion industry are intentionally farmed for their skin, feathers, and fur. 

This is an opportunity to highlight progress at international level. We can draw clear comparisons with other leading fashion cities and show how collective action is pushing the industry toward the same endpoint: fashion does not need to rely on animal suffering.

Encouraging refusal of exotic skins

With Fashion Weeks already banning exotic skins and NYFW now eliminating fur, it strengthens the argument that all wildlife skins should follow. The industry is moving towards a future where cruelty based materials are simply unnecessary.

A win for animals and for fashion

The decision by NYFW is a big victory, reflecting a cultural shift that reaffirms that fur is outdated and incompatible with the values of today's designers and consumers.

This is a victory for the animals who suffer in the fur trade and a milestone in the global transition toward fashion that respects both life and the natural world.