Net-a-Porter, a high-end e-retailer, is now fur-free. The company’s decision to not sell fur is quite important. And it could change the high-end retail industry…

Net-A-Porter’s decision

Yoox Net-a-Porter Group (YNAP), Net-a-Porter’s parent group, has recently made great strides in sustainability. However, one of its most recent policies is not only a more sustainable option, but a cruelty-free one, too.

All of Net-a-Porter’s e-commerce sites, which include Net-a-Porter, Mr Porter, and The Outnet, no longer sell any items that contain animal fur.

“The new fur-free policy coincides with YNAP’s existing relationship with The Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International, and Lega Anti Vivisezione,” reports CR Fashion Book. The Group also joined forces with the Fur-Free Alliance’s international Fur-Free Program. This program seeks to protect animal and environmental rights.

The rise of faux fur

Ashlee Piper, eco-lifestyle expert, thinks Net-a-Porter’s decision will influence other e-retailers to do the same. Piper has decades of experience in the fashion and beauty industry. So, she knows that when designers and retailers make similar moves, the result is a positive domino effect. “Just as we’ve seen with Gucci’s recent landmark no-fur stance,” says Piper.

Piper explains that although Gucci’s decision is partially because consumers don’t consider fur “modern”, buyers want to buy faux  because it looks great and is affordable. Also, consumers are better educated about the modern fur trade.

Fur-free options

“If one really needs the look of fur without the cruelty, faux is a solid option,” Piper says. “But [this decision] must be scrutinized because so many faux fur garments are not held to strict, monitored labeling parameters, and especially those items made in China, have been found to contain dog and cat fur.”

So, Piper likes Imposter, Shrimps, and Stella McCartney for the fur-look and reliable commitment to using true faux. “If [you like] fur embellishment, the market is replete with options that look [like] a Canada Goose jacket without the animal cruelty,” she explains. Also, Hemp Hoodlamb offers warm jackets with faux trim and ethical cred consumers can trust.

Also, if you rely on fur for warmth, Patagonia, Vaute Couture, Jill Milan, and Brave GentleMan offer vegan offerings, adds Piper. Finally, if you’re looking for warmer boots, Piper has a suggestion. “Native Shoes makes great and very lightweight dupes for traditionally leather-and-shearling winter options.”

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Dear Google Glass, You’re still creepy.

Even with a Net-A-Porter and DVF (Diane von Furstenberg) upgrade. Yes. Even with that.

I don’t know about you, but I would let Diane von Furstenberg style anything I plan to put on my body, Band-Aids included. After all, she once said “Simplicity and sexiness, that’s what people want. At a price that’s not outrageous.” All of her designs inspire sexiness and simplicity. But a DVF-designed Google Glass?

Sigh.

Apparently, DVF has designed five new frames and eight new shades of Google Glass. They went on sale last week and are retailing exclusively online at Google.com as well as the online luxury retailer Net-a-Porter.

Google Glass may be the future of technology, but news flash: we’re still living in the present. We’re all supposed to be wearing shiny silver jumpsuits in the future too, but we haven’t dropped our gorgeous DVF wrap dresses for them just yet.

Think I’m exaggerating about the stigma surrounding Google Glass? Have you seen this Jason Jones segment on “The Daily Show?” Yes, we should be respectful of the fashion and/or technology choices of our fellow humans. But come on. This computer on the face thing is getting kind of ridiculous. Even the Borg had better style sensibility.

What’s worse is this video of the princess herself WEARING a pair of the Google Glasses. Throughout the whole video she looks like she’s resisting the urge to scratch an itch—the itch being the obscene, obtrusive computer stuck to her face. Diane, please, it’s one thing if you’re going to sell these glasses, but please don’t wear them.

Find Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Related on EcoSalon

Thanks for the Wrap Dress DVF, But It’s Hardly Liberating

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Christie’s auction house sets the stage for eco fashion gone upscale.

Despite the paralyzing traffic congestion due to President Obama’s visit to NYC yesterday, key movers and shakers in the philanthropic and (green) fashion community made their way to Christie’s at Rockefeller Center last night for the star-studded Bid to Save the Earth gala auction and the Runway to Green event styled by Vogue’s Fashion Director, Tonne Goodman. Funds raised from the luxurious lot items generously exceeded the organizers’ expectations and with twenty six participating fashion designers who met the challenge of greening the runway, the message seemed clear that sustainable fashion has now made its way downtown, uptown, and all around town for women and men who are willing to redefine the cost of luxury and the role that they might play.

Vogue.com was rather clever to open this event up to a global audience by creating an online invite and then live-streaming the auction and runway presentation on their website at 8:30pm EST last night. Viewers were able to see the paddles flapping and even catch auctioneer jokes about the sartorial details of bidders’ attire. Actor and comedian, Seth Meyers of Saturday Night Live, was particularly witty and added a bit of spunk to the affair, tossing out the promise that he would bike the loop of Manhattan’s Central Park as part of one bidding lot.

Michelle Harper dons some millinery greenery for Bid to Save the Earth

Noted guests for the evening included names such as: Anna Wintour, Chevy Chase, Salma Hayek, Michelle Harper, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu, Thakoon Panichgul, Michael Kors, Rachel Roy, Coco Rocha, Karolina Kurkova, Kate Dillon, Lauren Bush, David Lauren, Angela Lindvall, and many more.

Stella McCartney patchwork wool and alpaca-blend sweater dress available on Net-a-Porter

In addition to $1.26 million raised last night, the added good news is that looks from the 26 participating fashion designers are now available for purchase at Net-a-Porter, with proceeds benefiting the National Defense Resources Council, Oceana, and the Central Park Conservatory. These items and accessories are not green in terms of materials per se, but a portion of the proceeds from each exclusive Runway to Green piece will go to leading environmental organizations.

The buzz post-runway presentation is that, in addition to the lush vegetation divider that rotated as each model stepped on to the stage, attendees were totally on board with the idea that eco fashion is no longer a marginalized phenomenon. One of the show-stopping pieces was the finale, Oscar de la Renta’s one-of-a-kind 100% organic natural ivory cotton-tulle bridal gown, all hand-embroidered with 100% organic, natural ivory cotton ‘guipure’ lace flowers. Proof that sustainable textiles can transparently translate to luxurious couture and the best of what high-end fashion houses can generate.

As part of our ongoing examination of what the future of fashion genuinely looks like, it appears as if the increased dialogue with celebrated luxury and ready-to-wear designers continues to create new standards for how to design and be more environmentally-minded. With all of the recent concern about designers also burning out due to demanding fashion week schedules and the pressures of running multi-faceted global brands, perhaps it will continue to be the case that future designs are presented in contexts where consumers and supporters might be more involved in the good that can come from their purchases and fashion “needs.” This can only be a positive development as we band together to create lasting solutions on all fronts, be they environmental or social in these challenging times.

Lead Image: Karolina Kurkova in Prada (photo: Elizabeth Lippman) for Vogue.com, all others courtesy of Vogue.com and Net-a-Porter

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Stella McCartney’s face is becoming as prevalent as the color green and not just because of her mom and dad and step-mom.

Why not? Thanks to her championing the cause for sustainable fashion and animal rights, high-brow converts have come over to the green side where they realize eco-friendly duds are actually really luxurious.

This week alone her accomplishments include: taking the lead as one of Time Magazine’s annual 100 Most Influential People at an event in New York’s Lincoln Center, hosting a trunk show at Barney’s  and launching an exclusive relationship with Net-a-Porter to house a Summer 09 Capsule collection on Thursday.

Creating a multi-media showcase on Net-a-Porter with art, fashion and poetic video, McCartney proves she’s the package deal.

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