Chanel bans use of fur and exotic skins, aims to create new generation of products

Chanel has phased out the use of fur and exotic skins such as crocodile, lizard and snake skin it its future creations. The move follows the luxury brand's aim to maintain ethical standards, on top of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)'s pressure for decades.According to CNN, Chanel will be reviewing its supply chains to ensure it meets the luxury brand's standards. It also added that sourcing for exotic skins have become "increasingly difficult". Chanel also looks to create a "new generation of high-end products", following its ban on real fur and exotic skins.Meanwhile, PETA lauded Chanel for being the first luxury brand to join other labels that have already banned exotic skins. The organisation said on its site that recent advancements in textiles have made faux fur and vegan leather "nearly indistinguishable" from animal pelts and skins, giving no reason to breed and kill animals for fashion."There’s nothing trendy about using stolen skins from tormented animals for clothing or accessories. It’s clear that the time is now for all companies, such as Louis Vuitton, to follow Chanel’s lead and move to innovative materials that spare countless animals a miserable life and a violent, painful death," the statement added.Fashion brands that have committed to not using fur in its designs are Armani, Coach, Donatella Versace, Michael Kors, Gucci, Burberry, John Galliano, and others. In September, Burberry had pledged to phase out existing real fur products in its upcoming Riccardo Tisci’s debut collection. The use of real fur from rabbit, fox, mink and Asiatic racoon by Burberry has been restricted for many years and will be banned from future Burberry collections.Marketing has reached out to Chanel for comment.