Protesters at London Fashion
Week
Images : Shutterstock / FashionStock . com
That ’ s not to say that the fur industry is an angel . There have been reports of foxes being forcefully grown to unnatural sizes , not moving from pens in order for them to grow as much fur as possible to harvest . Ferrets , minks and rabbits have been reportedly skinned alive without being stunned or killed before their pelts were removed . We ’ ve all seen the horrific Facebook videos , the PETA campaigns and the protests . The torture some animals are going through just for us to wear is honestly disturbing , and never justified .
Studies have shown that making a mink fur coat has an economical impact that ’ s three to ten times higher than making a faux fur coat . Supposedly a larger carbon footprint is being left by those who are choosing to wear the ‘ natural ’ option . But further research into this industry shows a different light that those strongly against it are portraying .
Fur farms have been banned completely in the UK for some time now , which reflects the general population ’ s feelings that wearing real fur is wrong morally and ethically .
However , with the amount of anti-fur protests , animal welfare warfare between brands and activist , the fur industry has been forced to become more organised and open .
Furriers of fashion houses buy their fur at specific fur auctions . These auctions are under government control , following strict protocol and not kept under wraps . With each purchase of pelt , a certificate detailing which farm the fur originated , who it was sold by and the seal of approval by European and American government control is handed to the new owner .
The fur industry has stopped trying to tell us it ’ s all about fashion , and have held their hands up to the fact that stricter control and more information about the fur they are using is a necessity .
Now , this isn ’ t to say you should be pro real fur , or you should be against it . But being able to tell the difference between
what ’ s real and what ’ s fake , so you yourself know what you are purchasing without having to do extensive research of the brand and item , comes down to the product itself .
If you separate the fur
" The fur so you can see the base of the garment , you ’ ll be able industry has to see what ’ s real . Real fur
stopped trying will be attached to skin , and visibly resembling
to tell us it ’ s all that of an animal ’ s pelt . about fashion , Fake fur is attached to a sort of webbing , that is and have held very obviously synthetic . Another way to tell is to their hands up set it alight . Clip off some to the fact that of the fibres or hairs of the garment , and set it on fire . stricter control If it melts , like plastic , it ’ s fake fur . If it burns and are a necessity ." smells like burning hair , it ’ s real . If it does a bit of both , you could potentially have a mix of both fake and real fur that hasn ’ t been disclosed .
High street stores in the UK are a lot hotter on the strict no fur policies . Where you have to watch out is independent retailers , independent online stores and sellers or in market stalls . The trims and embellishments could be made of rabbit , fox , dog , raccoon or mink without you knowing or even being told . So it ’ s always best to enquire if you ’ re unsure .
Enjoying fashion is of course something we all like doing . But whether you are pro or anti real fur , you must first do your research . My opinion has changed dramatically just from researching the industry for this article . Keep in mind that not everything you ’ re shown or told is the truth . Find out for yourself which side of the furry fence you stand on without being influenced by anybody else . ■
FAUX FUR COAT £ 182 , METAMORPHOSIS
STOLE £ 53 , COAST AT DE GRUCHY
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