For those against using animals in fashion, the reasoning is simple: animals should not have to suffer to make us look stylish. The large-scale production of furs has led to some species being declared endangered or protected. Besides being an unnecessary and tragic loss, the destruction of just one species can have a huge impact on the food chain and thus on the environment as a whole.
Campaigners have resorted to various tactics to protest against the wearing of fur, from splattering wearers with paint to producing graphic ad campaigns. While these acts split public opinion, artist Cecelia Valentine recently took a more novel approach, producing a line of conceptual jewellery that featured live pets, including a necklace with a hamster inside and a birdcage attached to a hair band. Cecelia's website is quick to assure readers that the animals were properly cared for, but even the most devoted pet lovers will probably prefer to stick to some pretty silver jewelry from Littlewoods!
Despite widespread opposition to the use of animal products in fashion, the long tradition of fur as a sign of prosperity and wealth remains. Some are willing to pay for what they claim is superior quality from animal skins and furs, as long as they are antiques. They argue that since the animals were killed years ago, it would be even more of a waste if their fur was not even worn.
The use of animal products worldwide adds another twist to the debate. While many Westerners might now baulk at the idea of donning an animal skin, other countries have a different attitude. Take China, for example, where there is currently a trend for buying keyrings with live animals in them. This might be just a fashion statement, but conversely, there are also people from cold climates who have always relied on skins as the best way to keep warm. One is fad and another a practical necessity, but it's important to realize that imposing our British values on other countries can often be unfair and illogical.
Evidently the issue of animals in fashion is less than clear-cut when you look at the global picture. However, with a ruling banning the sale of cosmetics tested on animals in the EU now in effect, it's comforting to know that the welfare of the world's animals is still firmly in the public's mind.
