Pei Su, the founder of the anti-fur organization ACTAsia, expressed gratitude that no real fur trims were seen on the catwalks of London Fashion Week. Having witnessed the cruelty of fur farming firsthand, she is alarmed by the growing support for real fur among some celebrities and influencers.
London Fashion Week’s decision to officially go fur-free in 2023 was a significant milestone, but Pei Su never anticipated the recent trend of younger individuals, often seen as advocates for positive change, promoting real fur.
Through her work with ACTAsia, Pei Su has deep insights into the atrocities of the fur industry, where millions of foxes, minks, and raccoon dogs are bred and slaughtered annually. She is troubled by the endorsement of fur by TikTok personalities and celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Ice Spice, and Rihanna, as wearing real fur contradicts the principles of compassionate fashion.
Celebrities and influencers need to recognize the ethical issues surrounding fur farming, including the severe animal cruelty and environmental impact. The carbon footprint of producing mink fur, for instance, is 31 times higher than that of cotton, making it a detrimental choice for the planet.
Furthermore, fur farms pose a risk to global health as potential breeding grounds for pandemics due to close animal confinement and human interaction. Normalizing fur through arguments like ‘vintage fur is recycling’ only perpetuates demand and acceptance, undermining efforts to combat fur cruelty.
Despite the UK’s ban on fur farming, the continued import and sale of fur remain legal, allowing stores like Harrods and Louis Vuitton to sell furs. Pei Su questions the morality of supporting an industry deemed unethical elsewhere and calls for public support for a bill in Parliament to ban fur imports and sales.
ACTAsia’s advocacy focuses on China, a major fur supplier globally. While progress has been made in reducing fur farms in China, millions of pelts are still produced annually. The Fur Free Retailers scheme has garnered support from over 1600 retailers worldwide, with 112 in China joining the cause.
London Fashion Week’s decision to ban exotic animal skins and New York Fashion Week’s fur-free initiative demonstrate positive steps in the fashion industry. Although Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks still showcase fur, the opposition is growing, leading to sponsorship losses.
As the UK progresses in fur-free fashion, Pei Su urges individuals to consider their choices carefully to prevent a regression in animal rights progress. ACTAsia’s mission, supported by the UN, aims to raise awareness and compassion for animals and the planet, particularly in addressing the issues within Chinese fur farms. Visit www.actasia.org for more information on their work.