'The particular methodology for an animal may not look pretty to you and I, but research has determined it is the most humane,' [Keith] Kaplan said.This is from the executive director of the Fur Information Council of America, a trade association for furriers. Anytime you see a quote from the exec director of a trade association, you're hearing from someone whose job is to protect an industry's profits. That's not the person to listen to when discussing whether or not the fur trade is humane. Kaplan alleges that the anti-fur videos you can see on the web are not indicative of the industry as a whole, but the average consumer is more likely to purchase "lower-budget" fur that comes from fur farms far from U.S. regulation, like those in China. (See jcruel.com for more info on that)
On the other hand, we have a designer who has a strong opinion about using animals for clothing. Despite what you think about faux fur, it doesn't take cruelty to animals to product it:
Couture designer Marc Bouwer, who has dressed celebs like Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron, offers clothes with fake fur, and he says it is as good as the real thing.Major kudos for that last quote. But as long as other designers continue to produce fur, and fashion magazines continue to push it as a luxurious option, we will encounter mindless comments like this:
"I just think killing animals for vanity's sake is completely wrong," he said. "As designers we have the responsibility of telling people what to wear and what not to wear. We should be part of the solution."
Fur also is a special luxury item for customers who want to treat themselves, said Michael Otis, a salesman at Andriana Furs on Michigan Avenue.Again, this is coming from a salesman, but the sad truth is that many women have bought into this shallow thinking. The truth of the global fur industry must be brought to light in order to make potential fur-buyers aware that there's no room for cruelty in luxury. How can you feel fabulous when you're wearing an animal that suffered and died for no reason?
"It's an accessory like a diamond," he said. "A woman can feel pretty and princess-y and rich. It's out there at reasonable prices. You put on a fur and you just feel fabulous."
