NYFW 2026: The CFDA Fur Ban and What it Means for Designers
The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has officially announced that animal fur will no longer be permitted on the Official New York Fashion Week Schedule, beginning with September 2026 NYFW.
The decision marks a major milestone for the American fashion industry and reinforces New York’s commitment to a more ethical, innovative, and socially responsible future.
The policy applies across all CFDA platforms, including runway presentations, official calendars, websites, and social media channels, giving designers time to adapt their materials and collections ahead of the Spring/Summer 2027 season.
What Does the CFDA Fur Ban Include?
Under the new regulation, farmed or trapped animal fur sourced from animals killed specifically for their pelts is prohibited on the Official NYFW Schedule. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Mink
- Fox
- Rabbit
- Chinchilla
- Karakul lamb
- Coyote
- Raccoon dog
An exception applies only to animal fur obtained by Indigenous communities through traditional subsistence hunting practices.
The CFDA confirmed that leather and shearling are not included in this ban.
Why the Change? A Shift in Industry Values
While animal fur has already become increasingly rare on New York runways, the CFDA’s formal position aims to push the industry further toward innovation and responsibility.
“There is already little to no fur shown at NYFW, but by taking this position, the CFDA hopes to inspire American designers to think more deeply about the fashion industry’s impact on animals,” said Steven Kolb, CEO and President of the CFDA.
“Consumers are moving away from products associated with animal cruelty, and we want to position American fashion as a leader on those fronts, while also driving material innovation.”
The decision follows years of collaboration with organizations such as Humane World for Animals and Collective Fashion Justice, and aligns NYFW with other global fashion capitals that have already adopted similar policies.
New York Joins a Growing Global Movement
With this announcement, New York Fashion Week becomes the second major fashion week to ban fur, following London Fashion Week, which implemented a similar policy in 2023.
Other fashion weeks that have already eliminated fur from their official schedules include:
- Copenhagen
- Berlin
- Stockholm
- Amsterdam
- Helsinki
- Melbourne
Earlier this year, Condé Nast—publisher of Vogue, Vanity Fair, Glamour, and GQ—also banned animal fur from editorial content and advertising, following similar moves by ELLE and InStyle.
Supporting Designers Through the Transition
To support designers during this shift, the CFDA has committed to providing educational resources and access to a material library, helping brands explore innovative, animal-free alternatives without sacrificing creativity, craftsmanship, or luxury.
According to industry research, more than 70% of American consumers want fashion companies to invest in sustainable, animal-free materials, and over a quarter are already avoiding animal-derived fashion altogether. Fur remains the animal material of greatest concern among consumers.
Innovative alternatives—such as plant-based textiles, recycled materials, vintage fur reuse, and next-generation synthetics—are increasingly redefining what modern luxury looks like. Designers like Lewis Beilharz, who showcased at Runway 7 in February 2025, are already proving that high-fashion aesthetics and sustainability go hand in hand, utilizing innovative textiles that align with the industry’s new ethical direction
BEILHARZ at NYFW February 2025/ Courtesy of Runway 7
Runway 7’s Position: Social Responsibility and Industry Alignment
As a production company operating within the official CFDA New York Fashion Week calendar, Runway 7 fully supports and aligns with this decision.
Runway 7 remains committed to social responsibility, ethical awareness, and forward-thinking production practices, recognizing the importance of evolving alongside industry standards and consumer values. The platform continues to encourage designers to innovate responsibly while maintaining artistic freedom, craftsmanship, and storytelling at the highest level.
By supporting initiatives like the CFDA’s fur ban, Runway 7 reinforces its role as a production company that not only showcases fashion, but also contributes to a more conscious and future-focused industry.
What This Means for Designers Applying to NYFW
Designers planning to showcase collections at New York Fashion Week from September 2026 onward should ensure that no prohibited animal fur is included in their runway presentations.
This transition is not a limitation, it is an opportunity. Designers are invited to lead with innovation, material research, and ethical creativity, positioning their brands at the forefront of fashion’s next chapter.
Applications for upcoming Runway 7 showcases are now open, and designers are encouraged to submit collections that reflect both creative excellence and responsible design values.
Sources: CFDA, Business of Fashion, WWD, Humane World for Animals, Collective Fashion Justice
