There are many reasons not to wear fur, with barbaric instances of often hidden animal cruelty being the most obvious, but at London Fashion Week this morning, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) sought to highlight an issue consumers are even less aware of: the presence of unsafe levels of potentially carcinogenic chemicals found on fur, including fur-trimmed childrenswear.
HAPPENING NOW: Fur is toxic, and these activists are letting #LondonFashionWeek attendees know it. pic.twitter.com/DScoOwAJpO
— PETA UK (@PETAUK) February 19, 2016
Near naked models — referencing the iconic “We’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” PETA campaigns — wearing gas masks crashed London Fashion Week this morning holding warning signs that read “FUR IS TOXIC” to highlight the findings of a recent study, that found toxic and potentially carcinogenic chemicals in fur used on children’s garments from brands including Canada Goose, Nickelson, Airforce and Woolrich.
Models in gas masks from Peta protest against the use of fur clothing & accessories https://t.co/8hVnmStT1C #LFW pic.twitter.com/zscwVb8Efw
— PA Images (@PAImages) February 19, 2016
The study found that raccoon dog and coyote fur used in children’s garments “contained large amounts of toxic substances, particularly formaldehyde, which can cause allergic reactions and is considered a carcinogen, and ethoxylates, which are known to be disruptive to hormone production and reproductive organs”.
“There’s nothing fashionable about fur torn from the bodies of struggling animals and then laden with chemicals that are dangerous to people who wear it”, PETA Associate Director Elisa Allen says. “PETA is urging kind people to choose fur-free clothing for the sake of their own health and animal welfare”.