Why Michael Kors Stopped Using Fur but Continues to Use Leather
Michael Kors is an American fashion brand that focuses on the jet-set aesthetic. Michael Kors is known for stylish and luxury handbags, shoes, watches, accessories, fragrances, and clothes. In 2017, Michael Kors made a big change — they decided to stop using real fur in all their products.
This choice pleased many, especially animal lovers and environmental groups. But even though the brand went fur-free, it still uses leather in many of its designs. Why is that? Let’s explore what led to this decision to ditch animal fur but not leather.
The Change: Going Fur-Free
Michael Kors announcing the stop to using animal fur in their products was a huge moment in fashion. For years, fur had been a symbol of high-end luxury — something you’d see on fancy coats or collars. But times were changing.
More and more people were speaking out against using real animal fur. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and other animal rights groups had been protesting outside fashion shows and stores, insisting that brands stop using fur. Animals used for their fur were raised in confinement, treated poorly, and killed only for their pelts.
After listening to these concerns, Michael Kors decided to take action. The brand said it wanted to be more “modern” and “ethical.” In December 2017, the company shared that it would stop using animal fur completely in all of its collections.
Why Did Michael Kors Stop Using Fur?
There were a few main reasons why the brand made this choice:
1. Ethical Concerns
The biggest reason was concern for cruelty towards animals. Many people believe it’s wrong to kill animals just for their fur. Animals raised for fur — like foxes, minks, and rabbits — are often kept in small cages on fur farms. When people saw videos of how these animals were treated, they wanted change.
Michael Kors listened. The brand wanted to be part of a better fashion future, one that didn’t harm animals for fashion.
2. Advances in Synthetic Fur Technology
In the past, fake fur didn’t look or feel like the real thing. It was stiff, rough, or shiny. But over time, technology improved. Designers started making high-quality faux fur that looked just as soft and stylish as the real kind.
Michael Kors said that with these new materials, it was possible to create the same luxurious look without hurting animals. This was a big win for both fashion and animal rights activists.
3. Consumer Demand
More shoppers were starting to care about where their clothes came from. People wanted fashion that was not only luxurious but also cruelty-free. When customers spoke up, brands like Michael Kors listened. Going fur-free helped the brand connect with people who value ethics and sustainability.
PETA’s Role in the Decision
For years, PETA had been asking fashion brands to stop using fur. They held protests at Michael Kors stores and events, sometimes with signs, audios of animals being killed, and costumes to draw attention and make a statement.
When Michael Kors finally went fur-free, PETA called it a “victory for animals.” The group said it showed that big fashion houses could listen to people and change for the better.
At this time, more luxury brands like Gucci, Prada, and Versace also announced fur-free policies.
Image from stockcake.com
Why Does Michael Kors Still Use Leather?
Even though Michael Kors stopped using fur, the brand still uses leather in many of its bags, shoes, and accessories. Leather is made from the skin of animals, so some people wonder — why stop fur but not leather?
The brand has shared a few reasons for this:
1. Durability and Quality
Leather is known for being durable, long-lasting, and high-quality. A leather handbag or jacket can last for many years if cared for properly. Many customers love leather because it feels soft, looks elegant, and can handle daily use.
For Michael Kors, leather is part of its identity as a luxury brand. The brand says it still uses leather because it wants to make products that last.
2. Leather Is Often a Byproduct
Another big difference between fur and leather is why the animals are killed. Animals like cows are usually raised for meat, not for their skin. Leather is often made from the hides of animals that were already being killed for their meat.
This means that in most cases, animals aren’t killed only for their skin — the leather is a byproduct of the meat industry.
On the other hand, animals raised for fur are often killed just for their pelts, which are their fur coats. That’s why many people see fur as less ethical than leather.
3. Vegan Leather Options
Even though Michael Kors still uses real leather in many of its products, the brand also offers vegan leather choices. Vegan leather is a synthetic material that looks and feels like the real thing but it is usually made out of materials like plastic rather than animal products.
This gives customers options. Someone who doesn’t want to buy products made from animals can still enjoy Michael Kors products using a vegan-friendly material.
What Is Vegan Leather?
Vegan leather is sometimes called faux leather or synthetic leather. It can be made from different materials, such as:
Polyurethane (PU) or PVC — coating a base fabric with plastic that hardens to resemble the texture and feel of real leather
Recycled plastic bottles
Plant-based materials like cork, apple peels, pineapple leaves, or mushrooms
Vegan leather has become very popular because it offers a cruelty-free alternative to real leather.
The Bigger Picture: Fashion Is Changing
Michael Kors’ choice to stop using fur is part of a much larger trend. The fashion world is moving toward ethical and sustainable design.
Today, more brands are thinking about:
How the materials they use are made
How their products affect animals
How their products affect the planet
Consumers, especially younger generations, are asking these same questions before they buy a product. They want to know if their clothes were made with care and consideration for animals, people, and the environment.
This change in attitude has pushed brands to find new materials like synthetic fur, plant-based leathers, and lab-grown alternatives that are more acceptable for use and still achieve the luxury status and high quality.
The Role of Technology in Fashion
One reason fashion can move away from fur and other animal products is because of technology.
In the past, fake fur and fake leather looked and felt cheap. But now, thanks to science and technology, new faux materials can look and feel almost identical to the real thing.
These innovations let designers create luxurious products without using animals. Michael Kors mentioned this when the brand went fur-free, saying that new synthetic furs made it possible to make beautiful, realistic styles without the harming of animals.
The same thing is happening with leather. Scientists are now creating lab-grown leather, made from real animal cells but without killing animals. Other companies are experimenting with mushroom mycelium or plant proteins to make animal-free leather, which are eco-friendly and biodegradable.
Is Faux Fur and Faux Leather Sustainable?
Most synthetic furs are not sustainable, which can raise issues over its use. This is because synthetic fur is usually made of synthetic fibers such as polyester and acrylic, which can take centuries to decompose. The process of producing synthetic fur is also bad for the planet due to the amount of chemicals and fossil fuels that are used. Being made of these materials also causes synthetic fur pieces to not be as long-lasting, leading to more waste.
Faux leather such as PU and PVC are not sustainable because they are made using plastics which makes them non-biodegradable. On the other hand, vegan leather made from plants is deemed sustainable due to its ability to decompose.
Image by rawpixel via freerangestock.com
What This Means for You as a Shopper
As a shopper, you have power. What you buy and who you buy from tell companies what matters to you.
If you love animals, you can look for:
Fur-free fashion brands and products
Faux or vegan leather products
You can still enjoy luxury and style without the use of animals.
When you buy something from Michael Kors, you can feel good knowing the brand no longer uses real fur and is working toward more ethical and cruelty-free choices.
Conclusion
Overall, the decision for Michael Kors to not use real fur but continue to use real leather comes down to ethics and how these materials are being obtained. It is much more ethical for the brand to use leather because the cows are already being killed for their meat, so their leather might as well be used rather than disposed of.
The story of Michael Kors shows how much the world of fashion has grown. Years ago, fur was seen as a symbol of luxury. Today, cruelty-free products are becoming the new symbol of fashion.
Michael Kors’ journey reminds us that fashion doesn’t have to hurt animals to be deemed as luxury. With innovation, creativity, and compassion, brands can create designs that make both people and the planet feel good, while still delivering that high-quality and luxurious feel.
References:
OpenAI.2025.ChatGPT.Oct 9 Version[Large language model].https://chatgpt.com
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