SAN DIEGO — A new lawsuit alleges Neiman Marcus continues to sell fur clothing to customers in California despite a ban on manufacturing or selling new fur in the state.
California’s first-in-the-country fur ban was signed into law in 2019 and took effect at the start of 2023. After it passed, Neiman Marcus pledged to eliminate fur products by 2023, joining several other luxury fashion brands in eliminating fur.
But according to the nonprofit animal advocacy organization Last Chance for Animals, Neiman Marcus has continued to sell non-used fur products to California customers online in violation of the state law.
As of this week, coats that included fox and beaver fur were available for sale to San Diego customers online, even though that fur is prohibited under state law and in Neiman Marcus' own animal welfare policy.
“It’s 2024 and with so many alternatives to animal products available, there’s just no excuse for animals to suffer for fashion production,” said Mandy Andrews, campaign manager for LCA. "Animals on fur farms, they really suffer their whole lives living in tiny wire cages and cramped in miserable conditions, and it’s just a really cruel product.”
The Dallas-based luxury fashion retailer operates six stores in California, according to its online store directory.
The company did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
Neiman Marcus’ fur-free pledge
A 2021 press release from Neiman Marcus Group announced the company would eliminate all products containing animal fur by early 2023 and would close all of its fur salons.
“It is clear the future is fur-free, and that includes the ultra-luxury space. As a leader in luxury retail, NMG has an opportunity to help build a better future for our industry,” CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck said in the release.
A 2022 update announced Neiman Marcus had halved its fur inventory. Its updated online animal welfare policy “prohibits the use of fur from animals killed solely for their fur - including (but not limited to) mink, fox, lynx, chinchilla, rabbit, coyote, astrakhan/karakul lamb, kangaroo, and raccoon dog - and allows ethically sourced sheep fur products referred to as 'shearling' or 'sheepskin,' as well as cattle fur referred to as 'calf hair' and 'cowhide.'"
Shearling lamb, alpaca or sheep coats are for sale on the retailer’s website, available to be delivered to San Diego addresses or picked up at the local store. They cost thousands of dollars.
While shearling is allowed under California's ban, Neiman Marcus' website this week also offered a goat fur coat and a coat with fox fur trim for pick-up in San Diego. A coat with a beaver fur collar was available for delivery. Fox and beaver fur sales are prohibited under California's ban.
Some fur is excluded from statewide ban
California’s 2019 ban was sponsored by the Humane Society and the nonprofit Animal Hope in Legislation. Four California cities — Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berkeley and West Hollywood — had previously approved similar bans, according to the Humane Society.
The law applies to the manufacture and sale of new fur products. It exempts shearling – the fur sold in many coats on Neiman Marcus’ site.
Shearling is tanned sheepskin with wool still attached. Since shearling comes from animals primarily raised for food, it is considered a byproduct of the meat industry rather than a direct consequence of fur fashion.
In a 2022 statement, Chief Merchandising Officer Lana Todorovich said: "We will continue to sell products approved by The Humane Society, made from synthetic, faux fur materials, and traditional animal fabrics like cashmere, leather, shearling, mohair, down, wool, and silk. We will also continue to monitor animal welfare concerns associated with these materials and work with brand partners to promote best practices related to their sourcing, production, processing, re-use, and innovation over time, including through our Sustainability Edits that feature products with certified materials and other preferred product attributes for consumers."
Lawsuit filed by animal rights group
The animal advocacy organization Last Chance for Animals filed the lawsuit in San Diego County Superior Court April 5. The group is “focused on investigating, exposing, and ending animal exploitation,” according to its website.
The LCA is not seeking damages beyond what is already required by law: The activists want Neiman Marcus to stop selling fur products in California.
“Fur is more of a status symbol, people want to brag that they can afford this expensive luxury coat, but there’s other ways to flaunt your wealth without torturing animals,” said attorney Bryan Pease.
Under state law, violations could come with a civil penalty of $500, $750 or $1,000, depending on the time between previous violations. Each fur product sold or manufactured against state law is treated as its own violation.
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