Out With The Old In With The New

You don’t have to be a murderer to be warm and trendy. Though Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine has been quoted saying, “fur is part of fashion,” is it really?

Originally, faux fur was for those who could not afford fur, but now it is relevant in many of the high-end markets. Stella McCartney, a prominent designer, was one of the first high-end designers to make a line completely dedicated to vegan materials. For her upcoming Spring- Summer 2013 line, she features luscious bags of faux fur, and this winter’s line featured chunky knit sweaters with faux fur accents. Each was gorgeously crafted and vegan-friendly. Marc Jacobs, Moschino, Kate Spade Ralph Lauren have created exquisite faux fur options for the fashion savvy, as well. And in the past few years, Prada and Chanel, two staples of the high fashion industry, have centered fashion shows on faux fur. Chanel’s show addressing global warming in 2009, featured models sloshing through melting ice in faux fur. Carl Lagerfeld, the brain behind the brand, claimed, “fake is not chic — we have got a new Chanel tweed to stop copies — but fake fur is.” Prada’s show in 2011 featured only faux fur in eye popping emerald and fiery ginger-orange. Miuccia Prada claimed she was “bored” with fur. She has moved on and so should we all. If you are interested in high fashion, you can easily find faux fur options that keep you just as warm and looking just as stylish yet feeling immeasurably more responsible. 

But faux fur is not solely for those with large amounts of expendable income. Macy’s alone has six hundred faux fur options on its website. H and M, Abercrombie and Fitch, and over thirty other widespread, large and influential companies have dedicated themselves to no longer selling fur and have both agreed in writing to the Consumers for a Fur Free Society Program, indicating that they signed a commitment to not supply there companies with real fur. And hundreds more brands—of all sizes and price ranges—have been cited by the American Humane Society for refusing to sell fur in their stores. There are all kinds of options, and you can feel good while giving or receiving it because you know that your choice could have saved an animal’s life.

  With the end of another black Friday and cyber Monday, the country has already moved onto our next shopping venture: holiday shopping. Christmas music is blaring and most likely you reach for the easy answer when you are not sure what to get that last person on your list: gloves and scarves.

You then think about color, price, but do you consider whether or not it is fur-trimmed? Be trendy and socially responsible. With the spirit of giving around the holiday season, it is appropriate to consider not only giving back to mankind, but also inadvertently giving back to the animal community through the process of gift giving. By refusing to buy real fur, each person can make a statement that its existence is no longer necessary. We are already decreasing the market for fur, but we can do more. And it is easier and fashionable now more than ever. You can give that gift with a smile knowing that your efforts helped to save an animal from the cruel practices of fur farming.

  We cannot simply ignore the facts: fur no longer needs to be an option for consumers. We have developed synthetic fibers that feel almost exactly the same, and there are both commercial and high fashion selections. In the past twenty years, we have reduced fur consumption by about one million pelts in twenty years, but we can do so much more![1]

  When you are scouring the store last minute because you forgot to buy a gift for that last person on your list, make sure you are a smart consumer. Vote with your dollar!

[1] “Production Statistics” Fur Commission USA http://www.furcommission.com/farming/production/