Since the 1950s, fur has been iconography associated with glamour and social importance. After the past 50 years in the turbulent world of couture, garments lined with animal skin are still regarded with the same caliber. One of the most famous images of Marilyn Monroe, immortal style pinnacle, captures her wearing a real mink coat (right). Nevertheless, swept up in each elegant, posing, fur-clad starlet's gown is the resounding silent call that innocent blood was spilt for an outfit to be worn but once. Even in the fickle world of celebrity, we feel obliged to ask, is this morally right? Somewhat absurdly, perhaps our growth in compassion and morality as the human race, since even the stone ages, has made little transition if we still justify the use of animal skin in clothing.
In most recent news, an investigation by Peta (People for the Ethnic Treatment of Animals) discovered that internationally renowned designer Burberry, best known for its instantly recognizable plaid, to be a pioneer in such cruelty. Designers for the brand continually use animal pelt in its collections earning them little merit as over previous years, much of their business has been lost due to this barbarity. Retailers, Selfridges retail store as merely a single example, have refused to stock their clothing although the message has failed to hit home. Contemporary technology generates many an alternative for real fur, highlighted furthermore that companies like Burberry are purely ignorantly slaughtering animals unnecessarily. Not only brands, but many modern day celebrities and fashion moguls, such as Beyoncé Knowles and Jenifer Lopez publicize the use of pelt. Unfortunately, no quotes could be attained from either Ms Knowles or Ms Lopez as they both failed to comment or air their opinion on the matter. Speaking volumes, nonetheless, is their fashion labels House of Deréon (Beyoncé) and Sweetface (J.Lo), with the majority of items lined, styled and covered with fur.
In actual fact, despite the excluding in most cases of celebrities using pelt socially , it isn't illegal. In America and China at least, there is no law preventing individuals from handling or mass-farming animals solely for their skins. Methods used to slaughter the animals in fur factory farms are ungoverned by federal law. They range from electrocuting animals in their anuses to neck-breaking, gassing in chambers and with exhaust pipes, trapping as well as paralysis injections. All methods aim to preserve a good quality of skin as oppose to a more comfortable death. Most of the time, these defenseless creatures are not completely killed and remain alive during the skinning process. Before their death, future pelts are usually left in minute cages - as many as 8,000 animals cast onto each truck, mindlessly shattering their limbs. Many result to cannibalism; all live their aimless lives in complete anxiety. The population decrease of regal jungle cats such as the leopard is due to the illegal poaching for skin, teamed with the amount of energy used in producing a real fur garment (twenty times as much as faux fur) and the fact that it isn't biodegradable is further evidence that the fur industry should be abolished.
Within the industry, not only mink, other rodents, wolves and rabbit are farmed. Dogs and cats are used in clothing too - many have reportedly been seen wearing collars, doubtlessly chosen with care by their previous owners. In labeling such items, the animal is often given its Latin/scientific name or occasionally a nickname given by fur producers. This makes it possible for a number of people to be wearing dog or cat, under the impression that they are cruelty free themselves. These can be identified in the 'Resources' links above. A number of companies offering alternatives to animal skin in their products are additionally listed on this page, courtesy of Peta.
Peta boast many a victory in their liberal but sometimes extreme techniques. In 2005, for example, professional photography company Olan Mills removed all props made of rabbit skin from their studios after communications with Peta highlighting the issue. Their campaign 'Fur Is Dead' is backed by public figures from model Joanna Krupa to Steve-O of Jackass, who urged "Abuse yourself all you want, just leave animals out of it. Don't wear fur".
As good role models impacting on the next generation, we can only hope that the future doesn't contain this intolerable billion-dollar industry. In our evolution process as people with humanity, we must continue to strive against cruelty to animals. We must educate our children that elegance does not lie in how many lives were lost in making our clothing, making them more responsible environmentally as individuals. Progression is definitely eminent; supporters of fur more frequently are being shamed (Naomi Cambell was disallowed from entering a New York club last week while wearing fur). Who knows, perhaps in another 50 years time, factory fur farming could publicly be as historic as bear bating.
In most recent news, an investigation by Peta (People for the Ethnic Treatment of Animals) discovered that internationally renowned designer Burberry, best known for its instantly recognizable plaid, to be a pioneer in such cruelty. Designers for the brand continually use animal pelt in its collections earning them little merit as over previous years, much of their business has been lost due to this barbarity. Retailers, Selfridges retail store as merely a single example, have refused to stock their clothing although the message has failed to hit home. Contemporary technology generates many an alternative for real fur, highlighted furthermore that companies like Burberry are purely ignorantly slaughtering animals unnecessarily. Not only brands, but many modern day celebrities and fashion moguls, such as Beyoncé Knowles and Jenifer Lopez publicize the use of pelt. Unfortunately, no quotes could be attained from either Ms Knowles or Ms Lopez as they both failed to comment or air their opinion on the matter. Speaking volumes, nonetheless, is their fashion labels House of Deréon (Beyoncé) and Sweetface (J.Lo), with the majority of items lined, styled and covered with fur.
In actual fact, despite the excluding in most cases of celebrities using pelt socially , it isn't illegal. In America and China at least, there is no law preventing individuals from handling or mass-farming animals solely for their skins. Methods used to slaughter the animals in fur factory farms are ungoverned by federal law. They range from electrocuting animals in their anuses to neck-breaking, gassing in chambers and with exhaust pipes, trapping as well as paralysis injections. All methods aim to preserve a good quality of skin as oppose to a more comfortable death. Most of the time, these defenseless creatures are not completely killed and remain alive during the skinning process. Before their death, future pelts are usually left in minute cages - as many as 8,000 animals cast onto each truck, mindlessly shattering their limbs. Many result to cannibalism; all live their aimless lives in complete anxiety. The population decrease of regal jungle cats such as the leopard is due to the illegal poaching for skin, teamed with the amount of energy used in producing a real fur garment (twenty times as much as faux fur) and the fact that it isn't biodegradable is further evidence that the fur industry should be abolished.
Within the industry, not only mink, other rodents, wolves and rabbit are farmed. Dogs and cats are used in clothing too - many have reportedly been seen wearing collars, doubtlessly chosen with care by their previous owners. In labeling such items, the animal is often given its Latin/scientific name or occasionally a nickname given by fur producers. This makes it possible for a number of people to be wearing dog or cat, under the impression that they are cruelty free themselves. These can be identified in the 'Resources' links above. A number of companies offering alternatives to animal skin in their products are additionally listed on this page, courtesy of Peta.
Peta boast many a victory in their liberal but sometimes extreme techniques. In 2005, for example, professional photography company Olan Mills removed all props made of rabbit skin from their studios after communications with Peta highlighting the issue. Their campaign 'Fur Is Dead' is backed by public figures from model Joanna Krupa to Steve-O of Jackass, who urged "Abuse yourself all you want, just leave animals out of it. Don't wear fur".
As good role models impacting on the next generation, we can only hope that the future doesn't contain this intolerable billion-dollar industry. In our evolution process as people with humanity, we must continue to strive against cruelty to animals. We must educate our children that elegance does not lie in how many lives were lost in making our clothing, making them more responsible environmentally as individuals. Progression is definitely eminent; supporters of fur more frequently are being shamed (Naomi Cambell was disallowed from entering a New York club last week while wearing fur). Who knows, perhaps in another 50 years time, factory fur farming could publicly be as historic as bear bating.
Words: Sam Brooks
