Billionaire fashion designer Daniel Roseberry recently launched his Spring 2022 Couture Collection at a New York City store that doubles as an art gallery. And, he did not disappoint: the show brought together some of today’s biggest stars (including Chanel owner Riccardo Tisci), showcased models from around the globe, and presented an incredible array of new fabrics, techniques, and textures to be used in high fashion during this season. While many are quick to dismiss faux fur and its associated crimes against humanity, we need to talk about furs and our relationship with them because there are serious social issues that come with them. Here are just five of these.
1) Humans use fake fur to create unique design elements like snowflakes or clouds. But they also end up killing wildlife when they do this. In 2015, two years before the global pandemic hit, researchers found evidence of a deliberate campaign to kill thousands of seagulls by releasing millions of pounds worth of artificial feathers into U.S.-controlled waters. They had been harvested to make faux snow globes—and then cut open and ingested by the migratory birds—which would have killed hundreds. According to reports, since the release of those billions of dollars, no real damage has followed. That seems insane to us, so what is going on? Turns out that if artificial fibers are injected into birds they can get stuck in their digestive system, resulting in death within hours. Imagine having enough hairs on your head to form a crown! Even worse, you could accidentally ingest some of those tiny feathers from the bird. Many scientists believe that synthetic fibers can actually become lodged in animals’ blood vessels and cause permanent brain damage. If governments were willing to step up and take action and ban furs, some experts fear that much less money could go toward environmental projects. For example, banning all forms of plastic shopping bags and supporting alternative fiber-based materials could prevent billions from being spent annually on animal testing and other cruel practices. It may sound ironic, but faux fur is probably cheaper when made with hemp instead of cotton and silk fibers.
2) You might think of faux fur like faux leather. In reality, however, faux fur—which includes everything from suede shoes and jackets to puffer jackets and wigs—can still be recycled or reused. So, we really don’t know how many layers of polyester that comes off our clothes every year; people tend to cut corners and put it in their cars. Of course, now we know better: once you try something on, wearing something from another source makes it easier to give it back, which means more waste. A 2018 study showed that 80 percent of consumers reported cutting down on purchases of items made with synthetic fibers. When asked why, 32 percent said they felt guilty when they thought about buying clothes made from unnatural fibres, while only 18 percent named the cost factor. Although most people don’t realize it, nearly 50 percent of synthetic fabric goes to companies who make it—which include brands like Adidas, JCPenney, Levi Strauss & Co., and others. As for faux fur, the industry was founded in Europe, specifically in Austria, where it was originally referred to as jardin de moules d’air (or airy feather). These days, however, manufacturers often rename themselves after local areas and cultures where they originate. It’s even possible to find small pieces of authentic Austrian furs on eBay. Take a peek for yourself.
3) There are ethical benefits to purchasing faux fur. Since we now know faux fur can cause severe health impacts, businesses may want to look at whether their customers are happy. By using ethically sourced products, people can feel good about the environment, and make sure they purchase things ethically made. Also, according to Business Insider, faux fur may be more expensive than genuine alternatives, such as wool, though prices vary between retailers. However, it’s easier and less time-consuming to wash and reuse items made from natural fibers, so we don’t need to worry about sourcing for these materials. Finally, some say faux fur is environmentally friendly and could help preserve rare species, too. Because humans often throw away perfectly good ones, we can work towards preserving endangered species. Hopefully, that will lead to a greater awareness of ethical consumerism and a move towards sustainable practices.
Image by himanshu gunarathna from Pixabay 4) Despite being called a negative term, faux fur has many positive outcomes. Some examples: sustainability, diversity, comfort. Let’s take a closer look.
Sustainability: With over 95 percent of fiber being bamboo, organic wool, hemp, and linen, faux fur is a relatively modern product. People can easily recycle or re-use pieces, unlike synthetic fibres that become dangerous when left unchecked or improperly handled. Plus, since we live near forests and wildlife habitats, faux fur not only helps them, but also protects the earth from unwanted pests and diseases.
Diversity: Fashion industries traditionally focus on profit margins and making larger sizes of clothing at lower costs, rather than trying to produce clothing with fewer materials. However, with the growing popularity of customization, designers are looking for ways to create luxury styles without compromising quality. Natural products, including faux fur, are helping brands achieve this goal. Instead of relying on petroleum-based oils to dye fabrics, they use plant-derived oils to create the desired effects on paper, which reduces pollution and releases toxins. Additionally, because the materials that make faux fur are more durable, longer lasting, lighter, and stronger than their counterparts, it ensures that the garments last forever, regardless of size or weight.
Comfort: At times, I’ve wondered if I would ever wake up and see my own face again. Sometimes, I feel as if someone came into my room and took a piece of my heart, tore it apart, and glued everything back together. I know what you’re thinking: this is obviously not realistic. But since ancient times we’ve been conditioned to associate certain feelings with certain things. Maybe you just didn’t pay attention before: a person’s happiness or sadness is determined by something outside their control, like the climate or political views. Like any emotion, feeling sad or happy can feel like a choice, and many people choose differently from society’s standards of beauty. So much so, in fact, that even today, people like Zara McDermott, known as the CEO of Spanx, don’t always look like Barbie dolls. On top of being able to wear makeup that looks like them, she says that she prefers her style to reflect her individuality. True freedom is allowing yourself to dress how you like.
In contrast to traditional patterns, faux fur is made out of thick, non-woven fabric that lets its users explore different options with ease. The result leaves little room for error, making it more comfortable. Moreover, due to the elasticity, faux fur gives the wearer a sense of support. Therefore, it becomes less constricting while allowing them to explore designs. Furthermore, faux fur is a great solution for anyone who wants to experiment with their wardrobe, giving them the flexibility to experiment with different types of fabrics. What’s a better way to discover your personal style? Trying fabrics that do a better job of conveying your personality. Besides the aesthetic appeal, this type of material is also super comfortable, especially in winter or rainy weather.
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