Ninety-two-year-old Iyengar said he was urging Karan to join other top fashion designers -- including Calvin Klein, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger -- who do not use fur in their designs.

"As a yoga practitioner, may I request you, on behalf of myself and my friends from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, to take a stand against using the fur of animals that is removed by the cruelest killing methods," Iyengar said in a letter.

"Mr Iyengar uses his power and influence to help animals," said Peta spokesman Poorva Joshipura on Saturday.