Moncler Goes Fur-Free

Moncler Goes Fur-Free

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MILAN — Moncler, the Italian luxury group, has announced it will ban fur from all of its collections starting in 2024. The fashion giant follows other key players in the industry — Gucci, Prada, Bottega Veneta, Coach and Burberry — all of which have pledged to no longer use fur in their products.

Since the announcement, Moncler has released its second ‘Born to Protect’ collection, which pledges to protect the planet. As a result, the last collection to feature fur will be fall/winter 2023. The sustainability plan announced by the company is built around five pillars: climate actions, circular economy, fair sourcing, enhancing diversity, and giving back to local communities.

The Collection

“Moncler was founded in 1952 in Grenoble and has over 60 years of history during which it has written and rewritten its own path, evolving its identity and the way it does business, while always remaining true to its origins. Moncler was born to protect from the cold. Inspired by these roots, it has named its Strategic Sustainability Plan Moncler Born to Protect, a title that embraces today’s great global challenges by extending its natural inclination for protection to the planet and its all its people.” 

The plan aims to focus on traceability of raw materials and to foster, value, and promote diversity and inclusivity. Impact reduction targets include achieving carbon neutrality, recycling fabric scraps, widespread use of sustainable nylon, and the elimination of single-use plastics. 

The collection’s products are made from recycled nylon, polyester, organic cotton, wool, and down. Prices will range from $355 to $1,925. Pieces include jersey tees, low-top sneakers with a crepe-effect sole, and a classic black puffer. 

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The Bigger Picture

Human Society fashion policy director PJ Smith says, “The amount of companies going fur-free in the last year is staggering. The majority of luxury brands are fur-free now, with very few left selling fur. The elephant in the room is LVMH.”

“There’s competition among brands now as to who is the best on animal welfare. Companies are starting to see that they can do well by doing good. They might ban fur first and take additional steps in the future, phasing out exotic skins, angora and down, while investing in next generation plant-based materials like mycelium,” said Smith. 

Moncler’s target goal is for 100% of down suppliers to be compliant with new human rights and environment modules included in the DIST Protoctol. WWD has reported that the chief executive officer of the International Fur Federation, Mark Oaten, has said he was “very disappointed” with the decision. In turn, Oaten says this is because Moncler not “supporting sustainable natural fashion” and promoting plastic alternatives. 

Oaten said [Moncler] “Should give their customers the freedom of choice between plastic or natural fur. By listening to a small minority of animal activists, they will now come under pressure to ban wool, silk and other natural materials. I urge Moncler to rethink their decision.” 

Michael Beutler, the previous sustainability operations director at Kering, will be joining the company as chief sustainability officer. Moncler is committed to meet the priorities listed in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Of the 17 sustainable development goals, the Moncler group is contributing to 10 of them directly or through their collaborations.

Shop the collection here.