CFDA Bans Real Fur from New York Fashion Week Starting September 2026

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), which oversees the official schedule for New York Fashion Week (NYFW), announced a comprehensive ban on the promotion and display of genuine fur products across all events on its calendar. This significant decision, made public on December 3, 2025, will take full effect starting in September 2026. This timeline provides designers with a necessary window to adapt their upcoming collections and overhaul existing production pipelines.

The CFDA’s initiative stems from years of ongoing dialogue with animal welfare organizations, notably Humane World for Animals and Collective Fashion Justice. Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA, acknowledged that while fur currently appears minimally on New York runways, this official stance is intended to push American designers toward a deeper consideration of the ethical and environmental footprint of the fashion industry. Kolb emphasized a clear shift in consumer preference, both domestically and internationally, favoring cruelty-free products. He expressed a commitment to positioning American fashion as a frontrunner in this global movement while simultaneously fostering innovation in material science.

The prohibition specifically targets fur derived from animals raised on farms or sourced through hunting. This includes materials such as mink, fox, karakul, coyote, and raccoon dog. However, an important exception has been carved out for fur obtained by Indigenous communities as part of their traditional subsistence practices. Furthermore, materials like leather and shearling are explicitly excluded from the scope of the CFDA’s ban.

To facilitate this transition, the organization has pledged robust support to brands during the interim period. This assistance will include providing educational resources and access to a specialized library of alternative fabrics, ensuring a smooth pivot toward innovative and sustainable material usage. This progressive move places New York firmly alongside other major global fashion capitals that have already adopted anti-fur policies. Cities such as London, which ceased promoting fur back in 2023, along with Copenhagen, Berlin, Stockholm, Helsinki, and Melbourne, share this commitment.

This industry trend has been further amplified by recent actions from major media conglomerates. Condé Nast, the publishing powerhouse behind titles like Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Glamour, has also implemented its own ban on using real animal fur in its editorial content and advertising campaigns, following the lead set earlier by publications such as Elle and InStyle.

Animal advocacy groups, including Collective Fashion Justice, have hailed the CFDA’s announcement as a crucial precedent. Advocates suggest this ruling will diminish support for the fur trade, which faces heavy criticism for both animal cruelty and substantial ecological harm, reflecting a growing public demand for ethical and sustainable practices within the fashion sector. Conversely, the American Fur Council (AFC) voiced strong disapproval, characterizing the decision as a capitulation to activist pressure.

It is noteworthy that amidst these developments, the market for faux fur is experiencing substantial expansion. The global valuation of the artificial fur sector surpassed $370 million in 2023. Industry analysts project that this figure is set to nearly triple by the year 2033, underscoring the rapid adoption of fur alternatives across the industry.