Hearst Magazines commits to prohibiting promotion of animal fur

Media publication group Hearst Magazines has outlined a commitment to not promote fur across any of its platforms. The move was confirmed in an email sent to the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT), and was then detailed in the sustainability section of the company’s website.

In the email, addressed to Allison Keane, CAFT’s VP of communications, and shared with FashionUnited, Hearst said: “Across our portfolio of wholly owned global brands, Hearst Magazines prohibits the promotion of animal fur in editorial content and advertising. (Our guidelines recognise defined exceptions and apply to all new business and future content).”

The ban followed a five-day protest campaign held by CAFT, with associated activists applying pressure on Hearst by occupying the lobby of the company’s New York City headquarters. The organisation said that Hearst, the parent of publications like Harper’s Bazaar, Esquire, and Town & Country, was now aligned with that of Elle, which banned the use of fur in 2021.

It also follows the news of both Condé Nast and New York Fashion Week banning the use of fur across their platforms, reflecting a wider movement towards more animal-friendly approaches to fashion.

In a statement to FashionUnited, CAFT executive director Suzie Stork hailed Hearst’s decision a victory, yet emphasised that the organisation would continue to mount pressure on others in the industry that had not yet made similar commitments. “Our next campaign is targeting Rick Owens, and we will bring the same relentless pressure that has pushed so many fashion houses to drop fur for good,” Stork said.