The most divisive fabric in the industry, fur’s detriment is obvious – animals must die for you to be able to wear it. But despite initially appearing as the answer, animal-free alternatives are by no means free of controversy.
There has forever been a battle between sustainable and ethical fashion warriors when it comes to the subject of fur.
Unquestionably more ethical in terms of animal cruelty, it’s the fabric’s sustainability credentials that have seen it come under fire in recent years. It is also not always entirely ethical, with many faux furs manufactured by people working in appalling conditions.
Made from petroleum-based products and polyester/acrylic mixes (essentially plastic), they can take approximately 1,000 years to biodegrade once they inevitably end up in landfill.
Often mistaken by animals for food, plastic also poses questions of ethics being found in more than 60 per cent of seabirds and 100 percent of sea turtle species, according to The Ocean Conservancy.
Just a quick review of the facts makes it blindingly clear why anyone considering a ‘fur-looking’ product could find themselves facing a seriously tricky conundrum.
Thankfully – and entirely unsurprisingly – Stella McCartney is here to answer all of our prayers.
Pioneering the world’s first faux fur made using plant-based ingredients, Stella has created a bio-based fur by KOBA® which pushes the boundaries of sustainability and her own signature Fur Free Fur which is officially Anna Wintour-approved.
