Fur is undoubtedly one of the most controversial topics in the fashion industry.
Whether you are appalled or enthralled at the notion of fur, I think we can all agree that certain standards should be enforced on the industry, especially considering how expensive fur is.

Whether you are a supporter of PETA or think that they are a bunch of ill-informed spin doctors, one cannot deny the images that were recorded in the PETA video below which shows the atrocious manner in which animals with valuable coats were treated in China, which supplies more fur then anywhere in the world.

The video shows dogs being skinned alive and then being thrown to the ground with brute force and bludgeoned to the head with heavy metal. According to a statement from PETA
“More often than not, the animal’s bones are broken and they are temporarily stunned rather than dead. Many animals are still alive and struggling desperately when workers fling them onto their backs or hang them up by their legs or tails to skin them”.

Reports from PETA claim that some of the animal’s hearts kept beating for as long as ten minutes after they were skinned. This video shows a skinned raccoon that had enough energy to lift his head to look into the camera.

There is absolutely no regulation on fur farming in China with animal protection laws only covering wildlife. Despite the lack of regulations many designers and high street stores are still using furs that have been sourced by China though often they are labelled as something else.

Some designers such as Ralph Lauren, Stella Mc McCartney and Tommy Hilfiger have taken the decision to stop using fur in their designs but other high profile labels such as Chanel and Burberry have had fur feature prominently in their collections.

Nobody can tell you what to eat wear or think, but I think it is important that fashion lovers are aware of where fur comes from and the vulgar reality behind some of the beautiful collections.

Ireland is currently home to five fur farms which contributes about €3.1 million per year to the economy. These farms are mainly in the trade of mink and fox fur. All Irish fur farms are monitored by the Department of Agriculture and welfare standards at both Irish and European levels must be adhered to.

I can’t tell anybody not to wear fur. This is a personal choice, but I do urge the public to check the origin of the fur they are buying. And remember, just because it is expensive or from an expensive shop doesn’t mean that the animals in question were treated with the dignity and respect they deserved.

I have included the PETA video on Chinese fur farming, be warned it makes for disturbing viewing.

http://www.peta.org/tv/videos/celebrities-skins/1198020070001.aspx?c=ptwit

By Aoife Quinn

The London 2012 Olympics look set to become the most fashionable to date with major fashion houses designing the outfits for some of the world’s finest athletes.

Ralph Lauren will dress Team USA for the third time. It has been said the clothes are vintage inspired with polos in the red, blue and white colours of the United States. The number 12 symbolising the year of the Olympics is sewn on the side. The designs for the ceremony outfit will not be revealed until July.

This will be a move from the classic Ralph Lauren look seen at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, where timeless polo knits in white and navy feature heavily along with tailored navy blazers, crisp white shirts, chinos and flat caps. All of the gear designed for the team features the US team logo and the iconic Ralph Lauren logo.

In Italy both Armani and Prada got involved in upping the sports style stakes. This is the first time ever that indigenous fashion brands have designed sportswear for the Olympic and Paralympic teams.

Armani’s line EA7, the epitome of sport luxe, is what the athletes will be seen in during the tournament. It features casual wear pieces such as hoodies, leggings and round neck t-shirts in grey, white and black with accent colours of yellow, blue and red.

The Italian sailing teams will be kitted out by Prada. Blue is the dominate colour of their designs with jackets, caps and wetsuits being created. This move was welcomed by many Italian sailing fans as Prada and sailing have become synonymous with each other in the country.

Although the designer of this year’s uniform has not been announced, Ireland has also got in on the act of utilising native designers to fashion clothes for athlete. Previous Olympia have seen Paul Costelloe and John Rocha design the attire of some of the country’s greatest sports people. Rocha’s design for the 2008 Olympics consisted of slim fitting sand-coloured wool suit with crisp white shirt and silk tie for men and a matching jacket for women worn with a silk skirt and shirt. Shades of green also featured heavily in the design.

However for some clothing brands the relationship with the Olympics has not run so smoothly. Stella McCartney was bestowed the honour of earning the British team extra style points by making their outfits for the home games. She worked together with Addidas to produce gear for the athletes.

Unveiled at the end of last month her designs have had a mixed reaction with many British people annoyed with her recreation of the Union Jack. They have criticised her for removing the red from the flag and misrepresenting Northern Ireland and Wales.

 

She has defended her creations saying “I based my designs on the flag. My clothes feature more red than any other designers since 1984.” While the uniforms may be modern and contemporary they are not the iconic design that she wanted.

Add to this the accusations that Addidas subcontractors have been using Pakistani people to produce all the clothing items on time for the Games in sweatshop conditions, working 65 hour weeks in return for 34 pence an hour. Addidas are currently investigating the claims against the company. Either way it is not exactly the positive publicity McCartney was expecting from the opportunity.

Fashion and sporting enthusiasts will be looking towards the July 27 start date for the tournament when the running track will transform into the catwalk. One thing is for sure, fashion will be finishing on top.

By Patricia Rice