More and more global luxury brands have announced their decisions to go fur-free. As fall arrives and temperatures drop, we’ve already assessed the new options in faux leather jackets. Now we’re turning our attention to faux fur and faux shearling. What are the best luxury faux fur brands in the world right now? We’ve rounded up 10designers and brands that are at the sustainable fashion forefront in fur, along with the faux fur and shearling coat, jacket, vest and gilet you may want to have on your shopping list this season.
the future of fur is faux
Come the end of winter, there was an annual fashion ritual in our house when I was growing up. I remember my mother rearranging the closets in our basement so that she could store her winter furs. Lots of luxury department stores annual promoted their cold storage facilities every spring.
My mother was fastidious about having her furs cleaned and maintained properly. And I grew up with the promise that one day, she’d have the longest one made into a short mink jacket for me. She probably realized that I was not the type to appreciate a mink jacket (or take care of it properly). At any rate, ultimately she gifted them to her sisters when she moved permanently to tropical climates.
faux is the new real
It’s just as well. I’d have a lot of explaining to do if I wore a fur coat these days, both on the streets of New York and in my own home with kids who are in the throes of a wild animal obsession. There are lots of reasons to say no to fur. You’ve seen the photos. We don’t need to go there.
Faux fur had a huge moment this past winter. Advances in textile technology continue to get more sophisticated, resulting in faux fur that looks, feels and moves like real fur.
High profile fashion designers have embraced the ethical and cruelty-free look, and have renounced the use of fur going forward. Among them, most notably? Gucci, Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Versace, Michael Kors, and Burberry.
Best luxury designer brands in the world right now for a faux fur, fur-free or shearling long or short coat, jacket, vest or gilet for women.
faux fur is not without its own problems, though
It’s not particularly environmentally friendly, much like most other textiles. Creating it, after all, is a chemical process that relies on fossil fuels like petroleum and coal. And the synthetic dying process of the fibers results in significant water pollution.
what’s an animal-loving, eco-friendly fashion lover to do?
Turns out there are some wonderful and chic options out there by designers who have had the same dilemma. Check out our list of the top faux fur brands to consider shopping from. No longer a novelty item to dispose of after a season, these luxurious and elevated outerwear options are made to last, just like your grandmother’s fur coat.
And there’s always buying vintage as another alternative, should none of these suit. For example, Vestiaire Collective is a great source for both vintage faux fur and vintage fur outerwear.
10 best luxury brands in the world for faux fur coats and more
1. house of fluff
CEO Kym Canter sold not 1, not 2, but 26 of her personal collection of furs to fund her cult label brand of faux fur coats. House of Fluff’s outerwear is crafted from earth-friendly materials that still feel and look luxurious. They are made in New York City in a fair trade factory from textiles that the company has personally developed in Italy to be as non-toxic as possible. And the dyes are naturally derived from plant bark, berries and flowers. So no two jackets are exactly the same.
The brand just launched a collection of BIOFUR outerwear items. All pieces in this collection are made from plant-based or recycled textiles, and all pieces can be recycled or have been treated with an additive to help any synthetic fibers decompose naturally if they should end up in a landfill or the ocean. As for the designs themselves, we think they’re the epitome of urban glam.
BUY NOW: $390.
2. house of dagmar
Swedish brand House of Dagmar, founded by three sisters, coined the term “animal friendly fur” to describe their garments. Just to be clear, they use real fur, but it is achieved with minimal damage to both the animal and the environment. This is achieved through a special shaving technique that is gentle to the animal (lamb, mohair goat and alpaca). The fur is then woven into a cotton base to create a fur look. Like this pair of friendly fur mules.
BUY NOW – $350.
3. stand studio
Stand Studio has an extensive line of faux fur and shearling coats and jackets. This single-breasted faux fur coat in chocolate brown has a timeless silhouette.
BUY NOW: $322.
4. shrimps
This British label founded by Hannah Weiland is known for eye-catching faux fur outerwear with quirky motifs, patterns and color-blocking. Amazing technicolor dream coats made of plush, if you will.
After being seen on British fashion royalty like Alexa Chung and Poppy Delevigne, the brand took off. Faux-fur’s sustainability remains central to Weiland’s vision as she continually works with textile mills to further technologies to improve the sustainability of her products.
5. apparis
Co-founded by French duo Amelie Brick and Lauren Nouchi, Apparis is a New York City-based vegan lifestyle brand. After witnessing the impact of fashion’s unethical manufacturing practices, they were inspired to create the highest-quality animal-free alternatives without compromising style or quality.
Their most iconic fabric, Pluche™ faux fur is made with 100% recycled polyester. This season, they launched a plant-based capsule using innovative, bio-based fabrics, powered by corn and hemp: KOBA® faux fur and CANNABA vegan wool. If you’re in the market for a faux fur jacket in a bold pop of color, look no further than this brand.
BUY NOW: $362.
6. maison atia
Co-founded by Chloe Mendel (daughter of creative director, Gilles Mendel of the house of J.Mendel) and friend, Gustave Maisonrouge, Maison Atia blends traditional fur heritage techniques with faux fur to create glamorous and nostalgic-looking coats and jackets. Their coats have been seen on the likes of Kate Moss, Gigi Hadid and Pink. For the Christmas cover of ELLE USA Mariah Carey chose to wear Maison Atia’s Genevieve in Rouge, seen below.
Based in New York, Maison Atia uses European textile mills that work with recycled materials. For the upcoming season, they are investigating ways to use organic cotton to create artificial fur. And then there’s the puppies. For every coat sold, a homeless puppy or kitten is provided transportation to a no-kill shelter.
7. unreal fur
The PETA-approved, Melbourne-based label Unreal Fur creates pieces are stocked at trendy sites like Revolve and FarFetch, as well as top-tier department stores.
As with many of the other faux fur labels, Unreal Fur is also internally developing sustainable fibers. Although they admit, they are not there yet. Currently they are experimenting with hemp and recycled fibers. In the meantime, the scraps from the production process are reused into their children line and their accessories.
BUY NOW: $449.
8. faz not fur
As Moda Operandi notes, “you won’t miss the real thing with Faz not Fur’s cruelty-free outerwear — the designer ensures each piece looks and feels as authentic as possible.” Handcrafted in a family-run atelier in Paris using the best quality materials, each faux fur boasts the look, volume, and enveloping feel of fur. We’re lusting after this silvery parka with a voluminous hood that transitions effortlessly from day-to-night.
9. jakke
No list of the best luxury designer brands for a faux fur, fur-free or shearling long or short coat, jacket, vest or gilet for women would be complete with this one.
jakke is an ethical fashion label born in 2015 by East London designer Nina Hopkins that has been awarded “Best Faux Fur Brand” and “Best Wool Free Brand” by PETA. Currently, 45 percent of their collection is made from recycled plastic bottles. It takes approximately 30 plastic bottles to produce a jacket, which means 30 fewer are reaching the sea or landfill.
10. stella mccartney
Of course we have to end this list with the grand dame of the vegan fashion world. Stella McCartney been at the forefront of the faux fur movement since her launch in 2001. Her work looks so real that a ‘fur free fur’ label is placed on the outside of the garment. The brand partners with a few select mills to produce materials in an environmentally sound way. Although McCartney admits that more research and development are needed to make the textiles biodegradable.
Her downtown-cool design aesthetic makes these faux fur pieces look luxe and effortless in a way only Stella McCartney can.
Best luxury designer brands in the world right now for faux fur
Faux fur is far from being a faux pas anymore. It is a fashion statement, and an ethical one. While doing research on these established and up and coming brands, it is clear that they are on the forefront of evolving sustainable textile technology. Fashion is driving innovation, making it easier for all of us to avoid becoming fashion victims.
Which one of these faux fur or shearling coats or other items are likely to earn a place in your closet when the cold winds start to blow this season?
