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Aug 26, 20214 min read

Change is Happening, But is it Enough? Let's Discuss the Use of Animals in the Fashion Industry

“I think that the fashion industry can get away with a lot and it is getting away with murder. Fur is the most unnecessary thing in the world.” - Stella McCartney.


A topic that is being brought to the forefront in recent years due to the climate crisis and shift towards sustainable fashion, the use of animals within the fashion industry has been challenged both by consumers and designers alike. Since the emergence of the fashion industry, the use of animals has been favoured by designers and consumers due to its luxurious feel and warmth generated using fur especially. However, the practices of obtaining fur, down and skins have become more inhumane and the realities of the mistreatment of animals have become more apparent, but is enough being done to protect animals within this industry?


Before we discuss which brands and designers have relinquished the use of animals within their collections, understanding how the animals are mistreated is crucial. The main resources obtained from animals are; leather, exotic skins, fur, wool, silk and down (feathers). Despite the use of animal skins and feathers being inhumane in itself, there are concerns regarding the ethical process of rearing and therefore collecting the skins. For example, animal rights organization PETA released the results of their investigation into the process of farming birds for the sole intention of stripping them of their feathers. It was said that around ‘2500 live pluckings’ are carried out each year, which saw birds such as; ducks, geese and swans being subjected to brutal treatment and sees some of the birds breaking limbs as they try to escape the torture of being plucked alive. For many, the amount of cruelty that goes into creating a garment goes unnoticed due to the fact that the mistreatment of animals is not considered to be an important factor and would inevitably bring a bad image to the brand.


An often coverated fashion accessory, the Hermès Birkin Croco bag has a starting price of £14,700, however the manufacturing process of creating one of these infamous bags is less than desirable. As journalist Angelique Chrisafis reported, the French fashion house was under scrutiny for their ‘“cruel practices” used against crocodiles in the production’ of the Birkin Croco bag. PETA, once again in their campaign against animal cruelty, released a video demonstrating how reptiles were being skinned alive or had their heads sawed open on farms that were supplying luxury fashion brands with reptile skins. Despite these atrocities, the Hermès Birkin Croco bag is still a popular design that many celebrities buy in an attempt to be regarded as ‘fashionable’ without taking into account the mistreatment that went into creating this accessory. Hermès spoke out against the claims being made by PETA, despite the photographic evidence proving otherwise, stating that it was an ‘isolated irregularity’, but whether this is actually the case we will not know for sure.


In the last two decades major fashion brands have become more aware of their use of animals within their collections and began to reject this traditional material when creating new designs. With sustainable consumption becoming a crucial factor for consumers and designers, other resources such as organic cotton (instead of wool) and vegan leather have made an appearance on the runways. A handful of brands in particular have spoken out against the use of animals such as; Vivienne Westwood, Calvin Klein, Prada, Donatella Versace, Jimmy Choo and many more. Touching on Stella McCartney’s words from this beginning of this article;


“I think that the fashion industry can get away with a lot and it is getting away with murder. Fur is the most unnecessary thing in the world. Those animals are not eaten, if they try to pretend that the fur industry products are by-products they are not. Those animals are bred to be turned into coats.”


It is refreshing witnessing a major fashion label and designer speaking out against the use of animals in a brutally honest account as it gives consumers and animal rights activists, especially, a sense of hope that the fashion industry is moving in a more sustainable and cruelty-free future. Another ground-breaking development in the fight against the mistreatment of animals, the successful brand Canada Goose, who are synonymous for their ‘heavy-duty fur-trimmed winter coats’, declared that they were going fur-free by the end of 2021. Moreover they have pledged to stop the purchase of fur clothing altogether by the end of 2021 as well.


Ultimately, as a consumer who wishes to join this anti-fur campaign the question arises, how can I help in this fight against animal cruelty? A great way of supporting this campaign, and to reduce your carbon footprint and fashion waste, is to by animal products second-hand. There are plenty of well-loved leather, wool or silk garments that are looking for a new home and also eliminates the need to subject more animals to cruel practices in creating new garments.


Equally you can help by donating to animal charities, avoiding brands that are still using animal skins or signing petitions such as the one below that aim to get more legislation passed to protect the rights of animals within the fashion industry.


Sign the petition and share with your friends to help spread the message! http://chng.it/bph4Pxrn7m


A great website to explore this topic in more detail is https://goodonyou.eco/animal-welfare-fashion/


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