ba&sh’s animal welfare policy recognised by the Fur Free Retailer programme
The ba&sh brand has today been rewarded for banning fur by joining the Fur Free Retailer programme.
Paris, 21/06 – In line with its brand ethos and with expectations from its clients, ba&sh has had to consider developing a comprehensive animal welfare policy. Today, this commitment has been rewarded with recognition from the Fur Free Retailer Programme, the leading standard awarded to businesses making the choice to go fur-free.
«As the representative for the Fur Free Alliance in France, One Voice is delighted to see ba&sh join the cause. The brand thoroughly deserves to join the Fur Free Retailer Programme and we are proud to see that our fight for more ethical fashion and the end of fur is making progress in France and around the world!»Muriel Arnal, president of One Voice
ba&sh’s fight against animal fur with the Fur Free Alliance
A resolutely committed brand that, through its actions, promotes a more responsible textile sector, ba&sh and its teams have always taken the issue of animal welfare extremely seriously. Since 2019, ba&sh banned the use of fur in its collections on ethical grounds: techniques for obtaining fur inevitably involve animal suffering – whether this be captive animals (overcrowding leading to stress, infections, injuries, and even self-mutilation, etc.) or wild animals (violent trapping and capturing, painful killing, etc.) – and have a harmful impact on biodiversity and the environment.
The partnership with the Fur Free Alliance (FFA), represented in France by NGO One Voice, is a natural extension of the brand’s beliefs. The FFA, which is made up of NGOs from every continent, brings together companies calling for a world – and therefore a fashion industry – that is more respectful of the welfare and sensitivity of animals. Contractually, the award of the Fur Free Retailer label means that the brand solemnly commits not to sell any products containing animal fur.
Fur and beyond: ba&sh’s myriad commitments to animal welfare
This recognition of the brand’s stance against animal fur is part of ba&sh’s broader animal welfare policy. Reviewed and tested by NGO Four Paws, which defends animal rights with direct human influence, the policy includes – as well as the traditional ‘Five Freedoms’,[1] – several powerful actions such as banning the use of angora, down, and feathers, and banning the practice of mulesing (ba&sh is a signatory of the Four Paws Brand Letter of Intent). The brand has also set itself the target of sourcing 100% of its animal fibre from providers with certified animal welfare standards by 2025 (2027 for alpaca).
Finally, in April 2022, ba&sh supported the Fur Free Europe European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), which aims to ban fur farms and the importation of fur products into the European Union, and which has gathered more than 1.7 million signatures of support from European citizens in less than a year. ba&sh contributed to the initiative by signing a joint letter from NGOs to the European Commission and promoted the ECI internally and on social media. The signatures are now in the process of being validated prior to submission to the EU institutions.
[1] Not to suffer from hunger and thirst, not to suffer from discomfort, not to suffer from pain, injuries, or illness, an ability to express natural behaviours, and not to experience fear or distress.
About One Voice
Founded in 1995 by Muriel Arnal with sponsorship from Théodore Monod, One Voice is a politically unbiased and independent French association. With more than 15,000 members, they actively campaign, in France and worldwide, to defend animals and their fundamental rights. They have represented the Fur Free Alliance in France for more than twenty years and manage the Fur Free Retailer Programme in the country. One Voice’s investigations into mink and angora rabbit breeding farms in France have allowed them to raise awareness of animal suffering among the public and policy makers and of the harmful impact of this industry on the environment as well as of the health risk that it creates (specifically linked to Covid-19). Finally, the association’s proceedings and its work with parliamentarians and authorities allowed a ban on wild animal fur farms in France in December 2021.
«From removing fur from our collections since 2019 and banning mulesing, to setting ourselves the goal of sourcing 100% of our wool from supply chains with certified animal welfare standards, ba&sh has demonstrated its commitment to prioritising the comfort and happiness of animals. Today, we are honoured to become a “Fur Free Retailer”, an achievement that motivates us to persevere with our commitment to promote animal welfare alongside our partners One Voice and Four Paws.»Pierre-Arnaud Grenade, ba&sh CEO
About ba&sh
ba&sh was established in 2003, contracting the first names of its founders Barbara Boccara & Sharon Krief, accompanied by Dan Arrouas and the Vog Group. The women’s fashion brand is brought to life by a bold spirit of sisterhood, the cornerstone of its ‘born collective’ identity. Pioneered by ‘smart-fashion’, ba&sh is at the forefront of innovation in its sector and with its responsible commitments. The brand is present in more than 40 countries, notably in Europe, China, and North America, with almost 300 shops contributing to its success. In 2015, the acquisition of funds of L Catterton and the Arnault Group was accompanied with a record international expansion, supported by a multi-directional and digital roll-out led by Pierre-Arnaud Grenade, brand CEO, reaching 254 million euros in revenue in 2021, an increase of 22% since 2019. In May 2022, ba&sh welcomed the acquisition of French funds HLD alongside historical shareholders and the management team to pursue its ambitious development.
«The Fur Free Alliance is delighted that ba&sh, a French company already committed to an ethical business approach, has confirmed their commitment through recognition by the Fur Free Retailer Programme, supported by our international coalition aiming to stop the production and sale of fur worldwide.»Joh Vinding, President of the Fur Free Alliance Office
About Fur Free Alliance
Fur Free Alliance is an international coalition made up of more than 50 animal rights organisations based in more than 35 countries worldwide who work collaboratively to put an end to the breeding and trapping of animals for fur, using completely peaceful means.
«Four Paws has worked hand in hand with ba&sh to develop its animal welfare policy, which has now been explicitly endorsed by the Fur Free Retailer Programme. Animal rights and welfare are demanding and ongoing battles that require a strong commitment from companies, and we are thrilled to see that ba&sh is taking this issue so seriously!»Jessica Medcalf, animal welfare and textiles programme manager at Four Paws
About Four Paws
Founded in 1988, Four Paws focuses on stray cats and dogs as well as companion animals, animals in production, and wild animals living in inappropriate conditions or in disaster or conflict zones. With sustainable campaigns and projects, such as its own shelters, Four Paws offers animals in distress swift aid and long-term protection.
Translated from the French by Joely Justice