The resurgence of faux fur at Paris Fashion Week highlights a growing trend among designers to embrace ethical alternatives to real fur, amid ongoing concerns for animal welfare.
Recent trends in fashion have seen a resurgence in the popularity of faux fur, spurred by advancements in manufacturing technology that make these replicas almost indistinguishable from real fur. The heightened interest in this material became particularly evident during the Fall/Winter 2025 presentations at Paris Womenswear Fashion Week, which took place over the past ten days.
Designers incorporated faux fur in various forms, ranging from stoles and opulent long coats to accessories and embellished jackets. This revival echoes the style previously associated with high-profile figures such as mob wives, Jackie Kennedy, and European aristocrats. According to Christopher Sarfati, CEO and founder of the France-based faux fur supplier Ecopel, “Since last winter, every brand, from luxury houses to mainstream labels like Zara, has been offering an unprecedented number of faux fur pieces,” he said, speaking to AFP. The company provides materials to approximately 300 different brands.
The initial decline of the fur look in fashion can be attributed to growing concerns regarding animal welfare. Major fashion houses, including renowned names like Saint Laurent, Gucci, and Chanel, had phased out real fur entirely, while London Fashion Week implemented a ban on its use. Although there is no such ban in Paris, animal rights organizations such as PETA and the Brigitte Bardot Foundation demonstrated against the revival of fur, expressing concern that the prevalence of faux fur could reignite interest in genuine animal skins, potentially undermining the movement against animal cruelty that has gained traction over the years.
In contrast to the backlash against real fur, many designers are embracing faux fur. Designers Bryn Taubensee and Patric DiCaprio of the U.S.-based label Vaquera emphasized their preference for faux fur, stating, “I think faux fur is cooler. It’s more beautiful. And we don’t approve of animal cruelty.” French fashion journalist Matthieu Bobard Deliere noted the decreased presence of real fur, remarking that “you can count the brands still using real fur on the runways on one hand.”
Ecopel’s analysis revealed an interesting trend at Milan Fashion Week, where 89% of the fur presented was faux, compared to 62% in New York. During the Paris Fashion Week, only two brands featured real fur: the newcomer Hodakova, helmed by Swedish designer Ellen Hodakova Larsson, and Uruguayan designer Gabriela Hearst. Both brands claimed their use of real fur involves upcycling existing materials, which they argue is a more environmentally sustainable choice, given that traditional faux fur materials are often made from polyester and other petroleum-based fibers. Hearst highlighted a vintage mink coat from her collection, stating, “Repurposed vintage mink was unstitched and then painstakingly reassembled by hand in a family-run atelier.”
The sales of second-hand fur have also experienced an uptick, particularly among younger consumers. A fur store in Paris, Sam Rone, reported greater demand since last year. Gen Z consumers are increasingly engaging with vintage fashion, with some even exploring their grandparents’ wardrobes for items.
To address concerns regarding the environmental impact of faux fur, Ecopel has reportedly developed a 100-percent plant-based alternative, potentially offering a solution for ethically conscious consumers. “Brands will no longer be able to say ‘We don’t use faux fur because it’s made of polyester and petroleum,'” Sarfati noted, highlighting the shift towards more sustainable fashion options.
Source: Noah Wire Services
