Anti-Fur Protests Intensify at Milan Fashion Week
Milan Fashion Week has been marked by a surge of demonstrations as animal rights activists escalate campaigns against the continued use of fur on the runway. Fourteen protests have been scheduled throughout the week, alongside daily actions outside official events organized by the National Chamber of Italian Fashion (CNMI). Activists from across Europe have gathered in the city from February 23 to March 2 under a global campaign launched by the Coalition to Abolish the Fur Trade (CAFT), urging Milan to adopt a fur-free policy in line with other major fashion capitals.
Tensions first surfaced during a sustainability panel at Bocconi University, where protesters displayed a banner criticizing CNMI president Carlo Capase for permitting fur at Milan Fashion Week. According to CAFT, Capase responded by calling the demonstrators “liars” and “violent.” Activists, including members of Animal Defense League Italia (ADL-Italia), later targeted Fendi’s runway show, citing the brand’s continued sale of fur as a key concern. Fendi, owned by LVMH and represented on the CNMI board, has become a focal point of criticism from anti-fur groups.
The campaign has reportedly led to reputational and commercial consequences for CNMI, including the loss of partnerships with companies such as Wella and DHL. Demonstrations have also extended beyond venues to include rallies near the homes of industry executives. While fashion weeks in cities including London, New York, Berlin, Copenhagen, and Sydney have adopted fur bans, Milan remains among the few major platforms without such restrictions. Activists argue that the city risks isolating itself from evolving industry standards as consumer sentiment increasingly shifts toward fur-free fashion.
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