Victory: Vivienne Westwood
Goes Fur-Free

Dame Vivienne Westwood has now been added to the growing list of designers that are going fur-free. The renowned British designer – who is credited with pioneering modern punk and new-wave fashions and who helped create the avant-garde look of the Sex Pistols – has decided to ban fur from her lines, now and forever. Westwood made the decision immediately after a meeting with representatives of PETA and learning about the suffering of animals raised and trapped for fur. The last of Westwood's furry items were eight rabbit-fur handbags, which the company allowed PETA to donate to a wildlife sanctuary. The bags will be used to comfort orphaned baby animals.

This marks a significant victory for all fur-bearing animals! Animals who are trapped for fur suffer excruciating pain before they are stomped to death or have their necks broken by trappers. On fur farms, rabbits, foxes, minks and other animals spend their entire lives confined to tiny, filthy cages before they are killed by poisoning, gassing, anal electrocution or neck-breaking. In China, now the world's leading fur exporter, millions of animals on unregulated fur farms – including cats and dogs – are often skinned alive.

Westwood's decision to go fur-free proves once again that she has always had her finger on the pulse of what young fashionistas are looking for. She joins other progressive designers – including Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Betsey Johnson, Comme des Garçons and others – that have banned fur from their designs.

What You Can Do

• Never buy any real fur – go fake for the animals' sake!
• Find out more about animals who are killed for their skins by clicking here.
• Donate online now to help stop the suffering and cruel deaths of animals for their skins. Your donation will also support our many other campaigns to end animal abuse.