Henri Bendel Praised by The HSUS for Going Fur Free

October 14, 2008

Fashion Giant Joins Growing Ranks of Fur-Free Companies

The Humane Society of the United States applauded the announcement by famed New York department store Henri Bendel that it will no longer sell products containing animal fur.

"Henri Bendel's fur-free policy offers proof that cruelty-free can certainly be synonymous with high fashion," said Heidi Prescott, senior vice president, campaigns for The Humane Society of the United States. "We are thrilled to add Henri Bendel to our list of more than 100 fur-free companies, which already includes the other Limited Brands."

Joining luxury labels Max Azria, Hervé Léger, Stella McCartney, Polo Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein in adopting a fur-free policy, Henri Bendel demonstrates that a store's luxury heritage need not be compromised by refusing to sell fur. Now Henri Bendel is not just an icon in the New York fashion landscape, but also an icon for luxury fashion with a conscience.

The decision to go fur free was initiated by parent company Limited Brands, whose policy not to sell any products made from real fur also applies to Victoria's Secret, Victoria's Secret PINK, La Senza, C.O. Bigelow, Bath and Body Works and White Barn Candle Company. This is consistent with Limited Brand's mission as a values-based organization to "consistently try to do what's right." With the recent announcement about Henri Bendel, now all seven brands in this $10 billion company are fur-free.

The Humane Society of the United States urges all designers and retailers to adopt fur-free policies to protect the more than 75 million animals who suffer and die annually for their pelts. Only by not selling any animal fur can companies be assured they are not complicit in animal suffering, and that their consumers are protected from the rampant false advertising and labeling of real fur, which currently plagues the industry.

Timeline:

• July 2008 – Overstock.com becomes the first purely online retailer to go entirely fur-free after a meeting with The HSUS.
• Feb. 2008 – BCBGMAXAZRIAGROUP pledges to go fur-free after discussion with The HSUS.
• May 2007 – Foot Locker pledges to go fur-free after discussions with The HSUS.
• March 2007 – Tommy Hilfiger pledges to go fur-free because of The HSUS's investigation.
• Feb. 2007 – Calvin Klein pledges to go fur-free because of The HSUS's investigation.
• Dec. 2006 – Tests commissioned by HSUS investigators find raccoon dog fur on jackets advertised as "faux" and/or labeled as other species, such as raccoon or coyote.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.