Friday, November 23rd, is Fur-Free Friday, and what better way to celebrate the holiday season than to remember our furry friends and support cruelty-free fashion on this purrfect (no pun intended) occasion.
Black Friday is a great shopping day to start a holiday tradition of only buying vegan-friendly products, especially fashion items, and to encourage others to do the same.
To date, each year, 40+ million animals such as rabbits, foxes, raccoons, minks, and others die needlessly. They are bred then brutally killed for one purpose alone — their fur.
Gone are the days when people used animals as their primary source of food and comfort.
We’ve become more knowledgeable, found more innovative and sustainable ways to curb our hungry and cloth ourselves.
As people, we have somewhat devalued the life of an animal, but there’s really no reason in torturing or killing any living creature just for their skin when there are many man-made materials that are just as warm.
The death of an animal for its fur is a particularly heart-wrenching and horrific scene.
To take their lives without damaging their fur, these unfortunate creatures are stomped on, strangled, or beaten to death — it is not a pleasant or quick way to exit this world.
Not only is their fur cruelly taken, but the toxic chemicals and dyes which are put in the fur for preservation are extremely harmful to workers and the natural environment.
Animals are innocent and alone in this, but thanks to a number of influential people speaking out…they no longer have to be alone.
Top celebrities are standing up for animals and are more than aware now of the cruelty that animals endure in fur farms and how unethically sourced clothing is affecting the environment along with animals across the globe.
Celebrities such as Paul McCartney and Ellen DeGeneres are standing with Animal Welfare Organizations and come together to speak out about what’s really going on in the fur fashion industry.
A few celebrities who support fur-free & cruelty-free fashion are:
- Charlize Theron
- Tim Gunn
- Pamela Anderson
- Simon Cowell
- Stella McCartney
- Olivia Munn
- Ellen DeGeneres
- Paul McCartney
- Bob Parker
- Miley Cyrus
You can read more about their support and contributions towards animal rights and veganism HERE.
Recently, a growing number of luxury fashion brands have made a commitment to implement more ethical and animal-friendly fashion practices.
After meetings with PETA, brands such as Calvin Klein and Giorgio Armani have gone fur-free — which is a huge accomplishment for the fashion industry.
Since 2001, English fashion designer Stella McCartney has made a commitment to never cruelly use an animal for the sake of fashion.
As the daughter of former Beatles member and animal activist, Paul McCartney, she has become one of the modern leaders in fashion to create fashion items that are free of leather, fur, and any other animal material used in today’s fashion.
Her products look and feel JUST like real fur, but are cruelty-free.
Even though she designs clothing that is luxurious and similar to fur, she doesn’t promote real fur.
She has demonstrated to the fashion industry that no animal needs to be harmed for the sake of fashion — which is a very strong message.
She also encourages people to reuse and recycle their clothing instead of throwing them away, which is another big plus for our world.
Stella believes that using fur in fashion is cruel and unethical. Â Her website states “We believe that fashion can be luxurious without using leather or fur.”
Whether you’re an animal lover, activist, or you just simply want to participate in helping the world become more ethical and responsible, supporting fashion brands that are making cruelty-free changes is a way you can do just that.
If you’re looking for popular brands that have become more conscious and fur-free, I’ve got a list below for you to check out below.
- Coach
- Burberry
- DVF (Diane Von Furstenberg)
- Gucci
- Michael Kors
- Jimmy Choo
- Donatella Versace
- Donna Karen/DKNY
- Maison Margiela
- Calvin Klein
- Stella McCartney
- Tommy Hilfiger
- Giorgio Armani
- Yoox Net-a-Porter
- Ralph Lauren
- Vivienne Westwood
- The Kooples
- Hugo Boss
- Fendi
- Jean-Paul Gaultier
- Lacoste
Read more about how these brands are helping fashion become fur-free here.
Animals have fur on them for a reason and they need their fur more than we do. But, they desperately NEED our help.
Consider not allowing animals to spend their lives suffering each day in wire cages…with constant depression and terrifying anxiety only to be awaiting a horrible ending.
By supporting a cruelty-free fashion industry in refusing to purchase products where animals have been harmed in the process, retailers will be forced to stop selling animal materials.
The less that people buy real fur, the less ‘trendy’ it is, and the less popular it becomes.
It won’t get written as much about to influence people to buy it…and designers won’t be able to make it under their name.
Be the change that you wish to see in the world.
How can you support vegan-friendly fashion?
Avoid purchasing fashion clothing & accessories that were made using fur, wool, leather, down, and angora.
Make sure to only purchase cruelty-free items. Research the brand and product that you are buying and buying from to ensure that no animals were harmed in the making of their clothing.
Encourage others to do the same and support your local (and worldwide) animal rights organizations.
You can participate in festivals and events near you that are spreading the word about products made with cruelty in mind.
PETA’s organizers will be hosting events on Fur-Free Friday — November 23rd. Â You can check out where they’ll be here.
Also, you can e-mail PETA’s outreach coordinator for your region by November 16th if you want to organize your own Fur-Free Friday event. Â If you missed it, it’s okay — you can still find an event near you.
Check PETA’s website for locations worldwide that are not on this list.
