Humane Society sponsors fur-free fashion

NEW YORK, July 20 (UPI) -- The Humane Society of the United States says it will be the exclusive sponsor of "Project Runway" winner Jay McCarroll's fur-free collection.

McCarroll, who won Bravo's 2005 design competition, will show his animal-friendly line during Fashion Week in September, the animal-rights group announced in a release.

"With so many fun and fashionable alternatives, there's no reason to use fur," McCarroll said.

McCarroll's collection will be his first at New York Fashion Week as an independent designer and will be completely fur-free, the Human Society of the United States said. McCarroll will also act as a judge in The HSUS' upcoming second annual contest for aspiring student designers, "Cool vs. Cruel"

Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, H+M and J.Crew have also given up using animal fur in their collections.