InTheStyle endorses that no animal should suffer in the name of fashion or beauty.  Where animal products are used, suppliers will be asked to provide evidence of good animal husbandry through the supply chain, to ensure animal welfare is maintained throughout, that would include (but not be limited to)

• Disease prevention and veterinary treatment
• Appropriate shelter
• Attention to nutrition
• Humane handling. 

InTheStyle supports recognised standards of the 5 Freedoms, being:

• Freedom from hunger and thirst – by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health
• Freedom from discomfort – by providing an appropriate environment, including shelter and a comfortable resting area 
• Freedom from pain, injury and disease – by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment 
• Freedom to express normal behaviour – by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and the company of the animals own kind
• Freedom from fear and distress – by ensuring conditions and treatment avoid mental suffering

Any materials of animal origin used on InTheStyle branded product (where these are permitted for use) are a by-product of the meat and food industry.  All suppliers are expected to conduct their operations in a responsible manner, and to full abide by this policy

Animal Fur

The use of any fur in any product supplied to InTheStyle (regardless of the branding the article carries) is strictly prohibited.  This includes Karakul lambskin from new-born or aborted lambs.;

Suppliers should be able to verify internally if the materials used are faux by:

• Examining the backing of the faux “fur”, this should be made of a woven or knitted material.  On some faux samples the pile can be pulled aside to view the backing
• Using a pin pressed against the backing.  It will pass through easily on faux “fur”
• Looking at the ends of the “fur” fibres.  Where these are tapered at the end and not cut straight, the specimen is more likely to be genuine fur.
• Burning the pile.  If the pile produces a smell like burning hair, this is indicative of genuine fur.

InTheStyle may ask for evidence that the material in use is not of animal origin.  In this case a Fibre Composition Test from a UKAS accredited Laboratory would normally suffice.

Leather and Skin

The use of leather and hide is strictly restricted to:

• Only Cow, Buffalo, Sheep, Goat or Pig leather or skin may be used.  This must be from producers with proven good animal husbandry.  Must be a by-product of the meat industry and not the sole purpose of the slaughter.
• Bovine leather from India will not be accepted.  Where the COO is India, suppliers will be asked to provide evidence of species.
• Leather from Bangladesh will not be accepted under any circumstance. 
• Leather or Skin must not be obtained while the animal is still alive or from aborted animals.
• Leather or skin from wild caught, exotic or rare animals (and those appearing on the CITES or IUCN list) must not be used. 

Endangered Species

InTheStyle will not accept any products containing any part of or by-product from any species on the CITES or IUCN lists of endangered species.  In order to comply with this, suppliers are requested to provide InTheStyle with the common and Latin species names for any components derived from animals, along with the country of origin and declarations regarding the harvesting of the materials having been conducted in a humane manner.

Wool and Animal Hair

Any wool used must be sourced from producers with proven good animal husbandry

Merino wool must not be sourced from producers who practise mulesing.

The presence of Angora is prohibited in any product supplied to InTheStyle (regardless of the branding the article carries).

The use of hair from animals reared in cages, including but not limited; to racoon, marten, fox, squirrel, sable, chinchilla or ferret is strictly prohibited.

Feather and Down

The use of genuine feathers or down is prohibited in any product supplied to InTheStyle (regardless of the branding the article carries).