my thoughts on fake fur...
People often ask me what I think of fake fur. My feeling is this – if it helps to keep people aesthetically happy and will prevent them from buying real fur, I say go for it. That said, I get concerned that people won't be able to tell the difference and then it feels like we are advertising that fur is good. So it is a very tricky situation. I have fake fur trim on my coat (pictured above), and I always worry that people might think it's real. But then friends gently point out to me that it doesn't look one bit real. A good way to tell if fur is real or fake by separating it – if you see stitching, it is fake. If you see skin, it is real.
However, you can't be totally sure that your fake fur is cruelty free, or even 100% fake. According to the Humane Society of the United States, some fake furs contain real dog or rabbit fur. The reason this goes unchecked is that the Federal Fur Products Labeling Act only requires manufacturers to identify the use of fur when it is valued over $150. The California State Senate is currently considering a bill AB 1656 that would require manufacturers to label any items made with fur. To support the bill, or lobby for similar legislation in your home state, you can find out how to contact your representatives here.
PETA recently shared their view on fake fur with me. Here's what they have to say:
"Encouraging people to buy faux fur rather than real fur certainly helps, but we (and HSUS) don't have an updated list of which companies are mislabeling fur, so it's best to avoid it all together unless you're very familiar with the sourcing and the designer.
Because of the inherent cruelty in the fur industry, as seen in this brief video narrated by fashion guru Tim Gunn, a growing list of companies and designers"”including Stella McCartney, Marc Bouwer, Vivienne Westwood, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Perry Ellis, and Liz Claiborne"”have all chosen to create wonder work without using any animal fur. Many retailers, including H&M, Topshop, Zara, Harvey Nicols, Gap, J.Crew, and Urban Outfitters, either never sold fur or have permanently pulled it from their shelves. You can visit our website for a list of companies that offer stylish, cozy fake furs.
We also understand and respect why many people choose not to purchase any faux-fur products. For those who do wear fakes, PETA has pins, patches, and stickers to help people make it clear that their jackets and other items are not made from animals. These can be found on our site at PETACatalog.com."
Thanks PETA! Let's make sure that we are all able to make informed purchases! There's also a great film called The Witness on this topic, that is really worth seeing.
Let me know what you think about this – fake fur or no fake fur?
I'd also love to know your opinion about this - a faux fur company wanted to sponsor The Kind Life, but I didn't feel comfortable saying yes. What do you think? Would you want to know about a faux fur company?
65 comments
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I'm with Patty H. I'm soooo relieved, Alicia, about your decision. Thank you!!!!
Suzann
Makeup Without Cruelty - a list
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I was just going through old posts, to see if I missed anything good, and I came across this one on fake fur and I'm so glad that I did. I too have struggled with whether to wear fake fure and/or other fake animal materials. After much thought, I finally decided that wearing it was not for me. I ultimately felt like others might mistake it for real and that I'd be sending the wrong message of supporting the wearing/exploitation of animals and condoning animal cruelty. I could then never enjoy the faux clothing item, no matter how cute I originally thought it was or not. So now, as I buy new things, I always make sure they are vegan/cruelty-free and no faux items. That way it is in keeping with my vegan lifestyle. I don't want to harm any animal, even by the extent of accidentally sending the wrong message. Then I'll always feel at ease with what I'm wearing. (I don't need my clothes to cause me stress.) And, I'm getting rid of anything that I already owned before "I knew better" and went vegan, as quickly as I can and donating it to the local SPCA thrift store. So, I'm glad, Alicia that you decided against the faux fur vendor on The Kind Life blog. I think that was a good decision. Sometimes you just have to trust what feels right, or wrong, to you, and go with that. As you said, you can't even be 100% sure if faux fur is 100% cruelty free due to the way the laws are, etc. That was another reason that I made the decision to not wear those types of products. Thank you!
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Oh my gosh, that is ridiculous. Dogs have fur! They don't need a coat. And $1495. I couldn't imagine spending that much on an animals accessory..
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I'm not sure where to post this, but I came across an ad in Modern Dog Magazine, that turned out to be quite shocking. The brand is Hartman & Rose, and they sell fur coats for dogs (farm raised Canadian mink). For only $1,495 your little pooch can have her/his very own fur coat! It's sickening... http://bit.ly/bUDe9X Please email Modern Dog Magazine, and ask them to stop advertising this ridiculous accessory! Thank you.
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No fur, fake or otherwise. Their are too many other options if one wants to be a fashion diva. Shelly Brown said it best.
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I don't like fur, not even fake fur... I think it sends the message that wearing dead animals looks nice... and it can invite less compassionate persons or those who lack information... to buy fur... (wanting the fashion and not choosing it carefully)
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Thanks, Alicia, for bringing this topic up. I had no idea that fake fur companies padded their fabrics with real animal fur. For me, I'll not buy fake fur from any company that's not on your list.
In general I don't buy fake fur because it just reminds me of ... well, the suffering that goes into real fur.
I would respect any choice you would make on a sponsor, but I'm soooo glad you decided not to let the fake fur company be a sponsor!
Suzann
Makeup Without Cruelty - a list of animal-friendly cosmetics companies
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I agree with Shelly Brown. No fur, fake or real, as even the possibility of encouraging cruel practices aren't worth any fashion statement.
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I agree with Hazel that many people on this site come here for health reasons, however I think it naturally progresses to compassionate reasons as well for many people over time. Thus, many people who never thought of these things are exposed on this site to the realities of factory farming, the fur industry, and the environmental impacts of a meat-based diet. I think this is an excellent open community to get our points across about animal cruelty without them feeling bombarded or pressured.
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Wow...that video was so hard to watch. I thought I'd seen it all with the meat industry videos, but that was heart-wrenching and nauseating. I have often considered the fact that wearing fake fur (good fake fur, anyway) might indirectly promote the sale of real fur to those with an untrained eye. In the end, it is just a fashion statement and, personally, one I can do without.
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Thanks, Shelley. I wonder if that's the one I saw. It was horrid. They showed a dog, it was tied by it's leg or something, and they skinned it from the back to the front, and it still blinked and shuddered after it was skinned, then died. Human beings can be the most cruel animal that has ever existed.
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I saw a video once sponsored by Last Chance For Animals and narrated by Trent Reznor. It showed how animals in China were trapped, some pets right out of people's backyard and many skinned alive. They were used to create "fake fur" products sold in America. I cried for weeks. Ever since then, NO more fake fur for me. I don't trust it. Not anywhere, not from anyone.
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In mu opinion a faux fur sponsor would be acceptable as long as they are 100% animal and cruelty free. I think it's a great way for people to be more aware of what they purchase and to offer alternatives for hot trends!
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Caroline (I believe) - it's easy to try and make it an animal or planet issue as you said, but the reality is that in order to make clothing out of DEAD FLESH, that flesh must be chemically treated so that it does not ROT. So, in a way, buying animal skin is actually doubly worse - an animal died in agony, and then the planet was harmed because of chemicals needed to finish the product.
I think several people mentioned China and the whole dog fur as fake fur thing - even worse is that I believe China is one of the countries that skins the animals alive to get the skin off.
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I, personally, think fake fur or real fur is slightly barbaric. I don't find it to be flattering in fashion and every time I see someone wearing it I automatically think it is tacky or they look like a warrior from the Mongol hordes. On the other hand those cultures who use every part of an animal (i.e. Inuits, Siberian tribes) I have no problem with them using fur or wool because it is part of their survival. There isn't an animal being bred to die for fashion. So like someone said earlier I will stick to cotton and fortunately for me I am allergic to Down so I use synthetic materials for my comforters.
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Jaspleo - I'm not going to get into the whole fake fure thing right now, and I am primarily vegan for compassion, but environment and health are important to me, too. I just have to say, though, that while this is a vegan site, many, many people are actually here primarily for health reasons. While those of us who are here for compassion would like everyone to see the animal rights issue, even if people are vegan for health issues, they are still helping to prevent cruelty, even though that is not their goal.
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I have to problematize what was just mentioned about our choice, "death of an animal OR death of the planet". First, this is a vegan blog/site, so arguably, the primary issue for most of us here is ANIMAL RIGHTS and the end of cruelty against ANIMALS. Of course, being kind to the planet is important and does not go unmentioned, but that is not the dicotomy being called into discussion here. Secondly, I am under the impression that fleece is a man-made material which is mostly derrived from recycled plastics? (am I wrong). I don't think this is an either, or... I think that you can make a decision that is both responsible for the planet and cruelty free.. Thinking hemp, recycled plastics, heading to your local salvation army. Last, I agree that wearing leather and fur promotes "the fashion" .. but thinking, environmentally, I have been vegan for 4 years, but I have owned the same leather belt since I was 19..im now in my 30's.. for me the caring and responsible choice is re-using this belt every year until it 'dies' rather than buying more stuff. I guess the real comment I would like to make is that this is a question about what kind of message we wish to project each time we step out of our houses. If that message is that we are opposed to animal cruelty, namely the use of animal products for fashion, then our answer should be a clear and resounding NO when it comes to leather and fur both real or fake. If your philosophy differs..be prepared to explain!
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I understand the concerns about fake fur, but honestly...I love it. And I think it just goes to show anyone who thinks there is no alternative that there is an amazing alternative. And those of us who choose to wear it are happily spreading the word!
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I'm curious as to why fur is always such a hot topic among PETA and other animal rights activists, yet wool and leather are the most widely used for fashion animal product, world-wide. I do give credit to the companies listed in the blog for taking action regarding the fur issue but take off the blinders. . . they still sell fashion made with wool, silk, cashmere, alpaca, leather. For me, THAT'S not good enough to give them a stoke for "doing good" for the animal world. The day that I can buy a sweater from J.Crew without having to weep for the goats is the day I will rejoice. Until then, no pat on the back for a job well done from me. It will take a lot more than just eradicating fur from their fashion line. There's A LOT more work to do. Keep working on it. This is a fight worth fighting for.
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thank you for all of your thoughtful comments
yay no fake fur sponsor...i said no about a year ago..but just wondered what you all would think...
i do think there is a tad of a difference with the faux leather stuff ...why? because most people know that fake leather is very very popular...payless...all cheap shoes...so its pretty common to see people with fake leather...and i dont think they think its leather all the time...especially with shoes...and i love when people do ask me and i say on no this shoe is pleather. but i do feel wierd about it sometimes for sure...its a toughy...no easy answer.
thanks again everyone
love alicia
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I say no to real AND fake fur. I feel as though "fake fur" still glamorizes the look of real fur, and who wants to look like an animal's been skinned for fashion?
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I don't have a problem with other people wearing faux fur but my wife and I don't buy any coats with faux fur trim. Mostly because of reports we've read about Chinese factories using dog and cat fur on supposedly "faux" fur products due to the issue mentioned above with a loophole in the Federal Fur Products Labeling Act.
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I have only had one jacket with a fake fur trim and last year I took it off the hood to wash the coat, and then never put it back on. My hardest thing to shop around with winter items is wool -- it's everywhere, and I won't buy it. I'll sometimes find myself buying a sweater or scarf or hat solely because I'm thrilled it's 100% cotton (not in this economy anymore, I'm afraid). I don't buy anything that is down-filled.
I wish more retailers would get back to cotton/modal/acrylics (even though they're synthetic I find that preferable to the active cruelty of wool). As for grandfathering in, I have kept a couple of wool hats that I realized later were wool, but I have not bought leather since 1987, the year I went vegetarian.
I shop Payless for shoes because they have a wide selection of manmade shoes. I do realize they're sweat shopped (humanly cruel). I'm not able to spend $50 up a pair on true vegan shoes at this time.
Alicia -- as for advertising -- I'd say yes if this wasn't already a vegan site because folks who are not and who do wear fur may not be aware of the quality fake offerings, but I think here, most of us know already and per the comments above, aren't inclined to purchase it. Thank you for asking!
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Fleece is typically NOT from an animal, it is synthetic. Yes some of our clothing is from petroleum products BUT I bet you think the processeing is more harmful to the planet then leather products. WRONG! Best bet though is to shop thrift stores so that nothing new is produced. I have a jacket that looks identical to yours Alicia. I love the pin you wore with it. Best way to buy faux fur that isnt really dog or cat fur? Don't buy faux fur from China. They have been the biggest violators on this.
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I don't really have a problem with wearing faux fur or leather, that said, the faux fur I have is trim on a coat or sweater, and the faux leather is usually shoes. I don't think I would feel very comfortable wearing a jacket or other clothing item that is all faux fur or a faux leather jacket, I suppose because I feel like that's more noticable, whereas I probably won't even notice a faux fur trim on someone else, so I don't feel like trim is really "promoting" fur.
I love Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney for never using fur or leather and showing that fur and leather do not make you look fancier or more fashionable, and you can have gorgeous clothing without being cruel to animals :)
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