Pei Su, the founder of the anti-fur organization ACTAsia, expresses gratitude for the absence of real fur trims at London Fashion Week. Having witnessed the cruelty of fur farming firsthand, Pei Su is alarmed by the growing support for real fur among some celebrities and influencers, despite London Fashion Week’s official fur-free status since 2023.
Through her work with ACTAsia, Pei Su is acutely aware of the atrocities within the fur industry, where millions of animals like foxes, mink, and raccoon dogs are bred and slaughtered annually. The recent promotion of fur by popular figures on platforms like TikTok and celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Ice Spice, and Rihanna is concerning, as it contradicts the principles of compassionate fashion.
The environmental repercussions of the fur industry, characterized by high energy consumption and toxicity, further underscore the ethical dilemmas associated with fur farming. Additionally, the risk of pandemics stemming from close animal confinement in fur farms poses a global health hazard.
Advocates against fur argue that the promotion of vintage fur as a form of recycling only normalizes and perpetuates the demand for fur products. Despite the UK’s ban on fur farming, the continued import and sale of fur, particularly by retailers like Harrods and Louis Vuitton, raise questions about ethical standards and international accountability.
To combat the fur trade, Pei Su encourages support for a bill in the UK Parliament, led by MP Ruth Jones, aiming to prohibit the import and sale of fur. ACTAsia’s efforts in China have led to a decline in the number of fur farms, with over 1600 retailers worldwide pledging to be part of the Fur Free Retailers scheme.
While progress has been made with initiatives like banning exotic animal skins at London Fashion Week and achieving fur-free status at New York Fashion Week, challenges persist at events like Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, where fur is still showcased. It is crucial for individuals to make conscious choices that align with compassion and ethical values to prevent a regression in animal rights progress.