3 retailers settle cases of ‘fake’ fur

WASHINGTON — The FTC said Tuesday that Neiman Marcus and two other retailers have agreed to settle charges that they claimed certain products were made of “faux” fur when they actually contained real fur.

In addition to the upscale department store operator, the retailers include DrJays.com Inc. and Eminent Inc., doing business as Revolve Clothing.

The Federal Trade Commission said the companies also violated federal laws by not naming the animal from which the fur came.

The FTC also charged that The Neiman Marcus Group Inc. claimed that a rabbit fur product had mink fur, and failed to disclose where the fur came from for three fur products.

The Neiman Marcus violations involved website claims related to a Burberry Outerwear jacket, a Stuart Weitzman ballerina flat shoe and an Alice + Olivia Kyah coat. Neiman Marcus also misrepresented the fur content of the shoe in its catalog, at bergdorfgoodman.com, and in advertisements mailed to consumers, the FTC said.

Under the proposed settlement, the retailers would be prohibited from violating the laws for 20 years.

The deals remain subject to public comment for 30 days, after which the commission will decide whether to make them final.