The organisers of Official New York Fashion Week have announced that animal fur will be excluded from all runway shows and related communications beginning with the September 2026 season. The policy applies to fur sourced from animals raised or trapped specifically for their pelts and will be implemented across the official schedule.

The decision reflects ongoing changes in design practices and material sourcing, as well as increased attention to ethical considerations and environmental impact within the fashion sector. An exemption will remain in place for fur obtained through traditional subsistence practices by Indigenous communities.

To accompany the transition, designers participating in New York Fashion Week will have access to guidance and material resources aimed at supporting the use of alternative materials. These resources are intended to facilitate innovation and enable creative exploration aligned with evolving industry standards.

The decline of real fur in global fashion is measurable. According to data from the Fur Free Alliance, global fur production in 2023 was nearly 40 % lower than the previous year, continuing a decade-long downward trend that has seen the industry shrink by approximately 85 % since 2015. This sharp decrease reflects both falling demand and broader shifts in material sourcing practices across the sector. Moreover, over 1600 brands, designers and retailers worldwide have publicly pledged to go fur-free, signalling that cruelty-free materials are becoming a standard business practice rather than a niche choice.

The move positions New York Fashion Week alongside other major fashion events that have adopted similar measures, reinforcing a broader shift toward responsible material choices and signalling continued transformation in how luxury and creativity are expressed.