Although getting dressed up in your fanciest, real fur coats, hats and gloves is not as popular today as it once was, many companies still have animal fur as a major part of their brand. Some brands pride themselves on their use of authentic leather, down, wool and silk, but what isn’t mentioned is the cruel treatment of the animals used to make these clothes, accessories and shoes.
Many major high-fashion companies, including Gucci, Armani, Ralph Lauren and many others, have decided to go fur-free in recent years.
CEO and president of Gucci, Marco Bizzarri told Vogue, “Technology is now available — that means you don’t need to use fur. The alternatives are luxurious. There is just no need.”
Views on real fur have greatly shifted since its peak in the 1960s. Back then, owning fur clothing was seen as prestigious and showed that you were wealthy enough to spend money on such luxuries. In the past few years, the view of wearing fur has turned into distaste; fur is not a hot commodity in the fashion world as it once was.
Stella McCartney created a brand using her own name and made it completely vegetarian — meaning that her brand doesn’t use fur or any other materials taken from animals.
McCartney explained to CNN why she doesn’t use fur in her clothing line. She said,“Fur‘s not relevant, it’s not sexy, it’s not fashionable and it’s not cool.”
Many organizations, including PETA, are advocating against the use of animals for clothing, shoes or testing. PETA contacts major fashion lines and cosmetic companies to try and sway them from using animals. The organization, with the help of other animal rights groups, is the reason that many brands have turned fur-and-cruelty-free — Gucci is just one of them.
If you are looking for vegan or cruelty-free brands, you can check out PETA’s website!
