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No more fur on clothes by Polo Ralph Lauren

Prompted by pressure from PETA, Polo is the first major designer house to abandon fur since Calvin Klein did so in the mid 1990s.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published June 9, 2006

NEW YORK - Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. said late Thursday that it is eliminating fur from all of its apparel and home collections, starting with the holiday 2006 season.

In a press release, the New York-based fashion house said that fur had been used only "on a limited basis as an accent in some collections."

"We are publicly announcing this decision because the use of fur has been under review internally and we feel that the time is right to take this action," the company said.

The move by Polo Ralph Lauren represents the first major designer house to abandon fur since Calvin Klein did so in the mid 1990s, said animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which was involved in negotiations with Polo Ralph Lauren since March.

"This is one of the biggest victories in the fur campaign," said Dan Mathews, vice president at PETA.

PETA, known for disrupting fashion shows and storming Seventh Avenue fashion houses, has been mounting pressure on other designer fashion brands, including Donna Karan International and luxury goods brand Burberry Group PLC.

Late last year, J. Crew Group Inc. stopped selling fur after PETA launched a boycott campaign and staged protests outside the retailer's doors nationwide.

"Ralph Lauren clothes have always been elegant, but now you can feel comfortable inside and out knowing that the company has made this compassionate decision," said Ingrid Newkirk, president of PETA.

As part of its initiative, Polo Ralph Lauren will donate 1,200 new units of women's clothing containing fur to charitable organizations, which will give them to an international relief organization for distribution to those in need.

[Last modified June 9, 2006, 06:28:28]