Ethical fur: There's no such thing

Fur, whether real or not, has split opinions for decades. Nowadays, most consumers and retailers accept that wearing animal fur is wrong, and the fashion industry is starting to agree. During London Fashion Week 2016, 86% of fashion designers refrained from using it, and many high street brands, such as Top Shop and Boots, have strict anti-fur policies.

Luxury labels such as Gucci, Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo have recently pledged to stop using it as faux-fur has become more popular in recent years. It’s especially important because for animals this isn’t about whether fashion is ethical or not. For them, it’s about life or death.

Gucci’s chief executive officer, Marco Bizzarri, said authentic fur is no longer modern when he announced the decision at the London College of Fashion according to The Telegraph. Mr Bizzarri said: “It’s a little bit outdated. Creativity can jump in many different directions instead of using furs.”

The most common types of fur such as mink, fox, rabbit, beaver and raccoon will be swapped for a synthetic substitute made from acrylic or polyester fibres. Not only is this good news for our furry friends, but maintenance of these faux-fur garments will actually be easier in the long run.

Fur has been in fashion for centuries. For many of us, our first encounters with a fur jacket was probably the horrifying moment you realised why Cruella de Vil wanted all those puppies in Disney’s 101 Dalmatians. Whilst fur has been one of the top trends of the past year, consumers aren’t digging the real deal and are opting for faux substitutes instead.

Whether it’s the fur trim on your gloves or the pom-pom at the end of your hat, if it’s real, then an animal has definitely suffered for it. Trends move on, which begs the question, was that mink coat that hasn’t made an appearance for the past two winters really worth it?

For most of us the answer is no. However, there are still designers that use real fur in their latest creations and lots of celebrities that endorse it. This means that despite hundreds of campaigns, the fur industry is still worth $40 billion, and according to the Business of Fashion, their sales have actually increased globally.

The Independent reported that about 85% of fur comes from animals who lived their life cramped up in puny cages on fur farms. The term 'ethically sourced' merely sugar coats the bitter and gruesome reality that these innocent animals face.

Their quality of life is unbelievable, as Claire Fowler, People for the Equal Treatment of Animals (PETA), Supporter Engagement Coordinator, revealed: “Consumers and retailers need to know that every fur coat, trinket, and bit of trim represents the intense suffering of animals, whether they were farmed or trapped.

“Even in countries that claim to have the highest welfare standards, animals on fur farms suffer from neglect, starvation, and thirst."

Ending the use of animals for fashion is one of PETA’s main areas of focus. They're known for collaborating with celebrities in shocking campaigns: a notably memorable one is their series of ‘Here’s the Rest of Your Fur Coat’ adverts from 2010.

It has taken nearly 40 years, but finally more designers are taking a stand against the fur industry.