Ralph Lauren Goes Fur-Free!

Ralph Lauren, long recognized as a leader in fashion, is now also a leader in compassion—after a series of meetings with PETA in February and March 2006, his company decided, for purely ethical reasons, to stop using fur in any of its apparel or home collections.

The Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation apparently had been considering eliminating fur from its lines for some time, but its decision was accelerated after Lauren, the company’s chair and chief executive officer, viewed grisly undercover video footage of fur farms in China, where more than half of the finished fur garments imported for sale in the United States are produced. Animals on fur farms are confined to tiny wire cages through all weather extremes. Before they are skinned, workers bludgeon them with metal rods and slam them on the ground, breaking their bones but not always killing them. Many animals are skinned while they are still alive and conscious.

After meeting with PETA, representatives from Polo Ralph Lauren sent a signed statement of assurance acknowledging the company’s intent to pull all advertising for fur, cancel all pending orders for fur products, and, beginning with its holiday 2006 collection, no longer sell any fur products. Twelve hundred of its brand-new fall 2006 fur-trimmed coats will be donated to charities in developing nations.

Lauren’s compassionate, progressive decision sends a powerful message to the clothing industry: Torturing and killing rabbits, raccoons, foxes, and other animals for “fashion” won’t be tolerated.

If you know someone who still wears fur, urge him or her to watch the video that changed Lauren’s mind.

Please write to Lauren and thank him for his compassion:

Mr. Ralph Lauren
Polo Ralph Lauren
650 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10022
CustomerAssistance@polo.com

Also, be sure to join the Street Team for more ways to help and to earn free stuff like T-shirts, hoodies, messenger bags, CDs, and more for speaking up for animals.