The argument over fashion designers using fur has made front cover of The Saturday Times today. Apparently British designers are being lured by fur companies to use it by either providing the fur free of charge or indulging in all-paid trips (usually to Denmark, the location of many fur companies).
A Canadian designer demonstrated the success of these gestures as he included fur in his Autumn/winter catwalk collection at New York fashion week. The fur was provided by Saga Furs at no cost: "It's like a sponsorship deal. They provide the products and the expertise to make it so I can have it on the catwalk." For me, it makes it worse that these companies are providing fur for no cost as it is not putting a price on the life of the animal which was sacrificed for fashion.
Should fur be used on the catwalk?
Personally, the idea of wearing real fur is an off-putting one. A family friend owned a mink coat and since seeing it for myself, I have been put off for life; it felt beautifully soft but knowing it was killed to be draped across my shoulders was traumatic! I have too much of a conscience! "There is nothing fashionable about the ways animals die for their fur." (Poorva Joshipura)
A recent spring-clean of my Nan's wardrobe did uncover a faux fur coat which she passed onto me. I don't think there can be arguments against wearing faux fur as it has caused no harm to anyone, although I did fear walking around New York in case of being egged!
It seems that the recession has not affected the fur industry. The British Fur Trade Association stated: "sales are buoyant despite London being the least pro-fur of the four major fashion capitals." (Nugent & Asome in The Saturday Times) Fur does have connotations of wealth and status which many people like to buy into. "No one appreciates just how tough it is right now. If you were offered free fur which looks glamorous and expensive and you were assured it was ethically farmed then why wouldn't you go ahead and stick it in your show?" Er... because those animals shouldn't have to be killed in the first place!
Personally I would rather see faux fur on the catwalk if it has to take any place at all; there is no reason why animals should be killed for fashion. It is disgusting to know that fur companies are using such tactics as free-fur and luxury trips but even more disturbing to learn that it is working! Fur-farming was banned in Britain - why would designers even contemplate bringing it back to our catwalk? Are times really that hard that it's calling for desperate (and deathly) measures?? Get it off the catwalk!
No comments:
Post a Comment