Global fashion brand Michael Kors, which also owns Jimmy Choo, says it is to end its use of fur.

Axar.az reports citing Sky news.

The luxury fashion group will phase out production of fur by the end of 2018 in a company-wide policy, and the two brands have joined the international Fur Free Retailer Programme.

Animal rights group Humane Society International has welcomed the move.

It is the latest in a series of announcements by major fashion brands that are moving away from using animal fur and creating fashionable clothing with other materials.

Designer Michael Kors said: "Due to technological advances in fabrications, we now have the ability to create a luxe aesthetic using non-animal fur. We will showcase these new techniques in our upcoming runway show in February."

The president of the Humane Society International, Kitty Block, says killing animals for fur is "cruel and outdated".

"We are delighted to welcome Michael Kors as a fur-free leader in luxury fashion alongside the likes of Gucci, Armani, Yoox Net-a-Porter, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss," she says.

PJ Smith, senior manager of fashion policy for The Humane Society of the US, worked with the company on its fur-free policy.

"Today's consumers want fashionable, luxurious clothing and accessories that also align with their social values and Michael Kors' fur-free move makes it a leader in that regard."