Real vs. Faux Fur: Is The Trend Worth The Toll?
As I’m sure the fashion-forward readers of Strike are aware, fur garments are one of the biggest trends of the past year. From Louis Vuitton Mink jackets to the trending Target coat, everyone wants to get their hands on fur products– regardless of the way it was produced.
It is common knowledge that real fur products are controversial. Harming animals in pursuit of a fashion trend is an act of folly that the American public generally disagree with. According to a 2022 Data for Progress poll, almost two-thirds of voting-eligible citizens view the raising of animals specifically for fur production as unethical. Recently, many luxury brands– like Gucci and Prada– have halted their use of real fur. Still, millions of animals are killed every year to provide materials for the fashion industry. Although some pelts are acquired by individual hunters and auctioned to clothing manufacturers, a large portion of American-made fur materials are still produced within ‘Factory Farms.’ In the typical fashion of animal-product industries, these factories blatantly mistreat their animals. They also pay no mind to the rapid spread of disease and harmful chemical usage that comes from fur production.
I know what you're thinking: I’ll just seek out faux furs instead! While effectively saving the lives of animals, faux fur production has detrimental effects on the environment. Though their impact is less commonly discussed, synthetic fur is produced with petroleum, a non-renewable fossil fuel. The process of creating synthetic materials involves a multitude of harmful chemicals, releasing carcinogens and microplastics into the environment. They are also non-biodegradable, so they contribute to landfills and water pollution.
“It’s important that we strive for materials that aren’t only more sustainable than their unsustainable counterparts, but that are truly sustainable — therefore protecting all life.” - Collective Fashion Justice
Some high-fashion brands have taken a more innovative approach to the lack of an ethical fur source. GACHA, recently developed by ECOPEL, is a fully biodegradable fur alternative that is commercially compostable. ECOPEL is a faux fur textile manufacturer that is dedicated to innovating the most sustainable synthetic fur on the market. Vogue Russia’s executive fashion director, Sveta Vashenyak, created Nereja, a business that upcycles vintage fur to align with current trends.
When shopping for your winter furs in the future, take time to consider where these products are coming from, but also where they will end up. Although one option successfully saves animal lives, neither is especially ethical or healthy for our environment. If you want to get your fur-fix in the most sustainable, conscientious, and cost-effective fashion, theres never shame in buying vintage!
Strike Out,
Mia Cadaret, Writer