PARIS • Italian luxury label Fendi made its haute couture debut with an "haute fourrure" or high fur collection in Paris on Wednesday as a group of animal rights activists protested outside.

Security in front of the Theatre des Champs-Elysees was tight ahead of the runway show of mainly fur coats, capes and stoles, designed by Fendi creative director Karl Lagerfeld for 2015/16. It was the first fur-only extravaganza by a major design label during the Paris haute couture shows.

About 20 demonstrators shouted and carried banners reading "Fur: Stop torture" or "Fendied" as the fashionista crowd waited to enter the venue. They were quickly intercepted by the police and led away. One woman ripped off a coat to reveal a red body suit.

Animal rights group Fondation Brigitte Bardot said it was behind the protest.

The collection was made up mainly of black and white coats of various lengths, some decorated with feathers. There were also shades of pink and cream.

The show marked Fendi's couture catwalk debut in the French capital, as well as Lagerfeld's 50 years with the luxury label, which is known for its fur atelier. Paris Haute Couture fashion week ended yesterday.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE