First, I want to be clear that I don’t advocate for the torture of animals; I vehemently disagree with wasteful killing, use of threatened species, and unnecessary pain. However, there’s a valid argument for why I love fur even though I wholeheartedly agree with most vegan principles.
Let’s start with the story of how I went vegan, and how, eventually, I had to get out of it.
It’s 2016, I’m barely 17, and a friend recommends a documentary: Cowspiracy, which you can watch on Netflix, as I proceeded to do that very night. It’s all about the impact animal agriculture has on the environment, the usual vegan messaging of how much water, land and lives you save by going vegan. As a typical trendy-diet girl, I had already been toying with the idea of eating a plant-based diet, and this documentary gave me the activist-inspired push I needed. There I was, the girl who ordered her steak blue with a side of lobster, going vegan cold-turkey. I became a vegan-toothpaste, no refined sugar, side-eye the meat eaters, won’t-buy-leather vegan. Die hard. Eventually, my health and my doctor decided I could not continue eating the way I was, and no matter what you hear, veganism is NOT for everyone.
So now, what you’ve been waiting for, why I love fur and why I want you to love it too!
I brush my teeth, wash my face, style my hair, and moisturize my skin with vegan, cruelty-free products. I also love leather products, wear fur, and stand in line for fine silk. Hypocritical, isn’t it?
It is so easy to replace the beauty products you use in your life with natural, animal-free alternatives, and it can even be cost-effective, environmentally, and cosmetically-friendly. In fashion, some big names like Gucci and Michael Kors are moving away from using furs in their collections, and the masses are praising these actions. It seems so simple to choose synthetic leather, and faux fur, but it isn’t, and you shouldn’t.
Faux fur is an environmental hazard, as it’s derived from petroleum and other non-renewable resources. It is literally processed chemicals, produced most often in sweatshops, creating waste and harming the environment. A quick google search will show you how truly toxic fake fur is. The HuffingtonPost did an article on how even post-purchase it continues to pollute the environment, by releasing microfibers that are consumed by wildlife and cause irreparable damage to the ecosystem. Even the DailyMail compares the necessary energy required for fake fur (three times more than real), and the 1,000 years it will take to decompose, against the six months for real fur.
If you disagree with fur, just don’t wear it, but the true disservice to the world is fake fur.
The animals in the fur industry are either wild, invasive or farmed, and there are strict rules imposed on all these types of sourcing. The Fur Institute of Canada ensures regulations are adhered to that protect the animals, hunters, and farmers, while also keeping the industry alive. Wild animal trapping has strict rules which ensure the sustainability of the practice. Farming also eliminates the possibility of extinction as animals are bred in a controlled pattern, and several regulations ensure animal health and safety. The harm to animals is minimized up until their death, making it as ethical as eating meat.
The luxury fur industry is an employer of people with a craft. A high-level of skilled-labour goes into the production of a coat that will be worth thousands, and passed through generations, keeping people warm for decades. The other side of this is the $200+ coat that will be thrown out within a few years (at most!), and join a landfill of wasted products. Fur is the long-term investment fighting fast-fashion.
Lastly, and most importantly, fur is beautiful, elegant, and classic. That’s my strongest argument, and it’s why I love fur. When I wear it I feel poised; it accentuates the rest of my outfit, it is a high quality product, and if sourced properly, it supports an ethical industry. Each fur item is unique, and like any luxury item you gain a story, a skillfully created product, and a valuable, long-lasting possession that is sure to hold its resale value.
Of course, do what you can to mitigate suffering, but at some point in our day we all consume something that encountered cruel practices. I truly believe veganism is a fantastic lifestyle choice, so long as you remain healthy and don’t annoy all of your friends with propaganda you read on Instagram. Otherwise, I’ll keep wearing my fur and you’ll keep wearing your leather, we’ll look good, and I won’t feel ashamed of that. Make the choice to buy well-sourced fur and wear it proudly.