WEAR YOUR OWN SKIN!

Written by Lisa Graystone
Posted in Fashion

Faux Fur has become very important in fashion. Many designers and brands have opted to utilize this synthetic fabric as opposed to causing unnecessary harm to defenseless animals. I say BRAVO! In my opinion, killing and removing another living creature’s skin to wear it is the LEAST luxurious thing you can do. It does not exude status or style it illustrates a lack of character and compassion. It is WEAK to wear fur, not CHIC.
Some Faux Fur Facts: Fake fur is a type of textile fabric fashioned to look like genuine animal fur. It is known as a pile fabric and is typically made from polymeric fibers that are processed, dyed, and cut to match a specific fur texture and color. First introduced in 1929, advances in polymer technology have greatly improved faux fur quality. Today's fake furs can be nearly indistinguishable from the natural furs they imitate.

In the 1940s, the quality of fake furs was vastly improved by advances in textile manufacturing technology. However, the true modern fake furs were not developed until the mid 1950s, with the introduction of acrylic polymers as replacements for alpaca hair. These polymers were particularly important because they could provide the bulk required to imitate real fur without the weight associated with other fake fur fabrics. They were also easier to color and texture than alpaca fibers.

There is a great video on YouTube.com called “Fashion Victims” narrated by fashion guru of Project Runway fame Tim Gunn. Created by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) it shows what is involved in the production of fur, wool, leather, and exotic skins. Do you really know? Take the time to make an informed decision about what you will wear. It will take exactly 3:59 minutes to decide if you will opt for mock-croc as opposed to its once-living counterpart the next time you purchase a “luxury” hand bag.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that even Karl Lagerfeld, for Chanel has changed his perspective on fur for Fall/Winter 2010 collection: “Technical advances are so perfect you can hardly tell fake fur from the real thing. Fake is not chic — we have got a new Chanel tweed to stop copies — but fake fur is.”    He still needs to change his "Fendi" attitude as he will continue to show real fur in his collections for the house.

Other FUR-FREE designers/Retailers include (but are not limited to the following): Betsey Johnson, Stella McCartney, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Top shop, Polo Ralph Lauren, Old Navy/Gap/Piperlime/Bananna Republic, Liz Claiborne, Inc.(incl. 15 brands), H&M, Guess? Inc., BCBG Max Azria ...and MANY others. My Faux Fur hat off to all of you for being Compassionate AND Creative!
You can find a complete list of retailers and designers on-line who do not use or sell fur.
I really feel it is a designer’s duty to fashion and their clients to be CREATIVE above all. With the thousands of other textile choices why choose cruelty or murder? Real fur is Faux-Fabulous. What will you choose? I choose to wear my own skin!