Saying No to Fur While Sponsoring Leather?

by Stephanie Ernst · 2009-09-11 14:38:00 UTC
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I learned, by way of ecorazzi, this afternoon that (HSUS's words to follow) "HSUS is sponsoring [Victoria] Bartlett's Spring/Summer 2010 runway show on Saturday as part of New York Fashion Week" because she eschews fur and is going to distribute anti-fur materials while there. That Bartlett and VPL refuse to use fur is excellent, but I have to ask the obvious question that arises when, for example, you look at images such as the one featured on the ecorazzi post, where a model is showing off some thigh-high leather boots: what about the leather and all the animals killed for it? From the HSUS press release:

"I am opposed to animal cruelty and the use of farming fur for pleasure," said Bartlett. "I would never use fur."

Victoria Bartlett's Spring/Summer 2010 VPL runway show is on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. at Pier 59 (Chelsea Piers @ 18th Street) Studios 9 and 10. An invitation-only event, it will be attended by buyers for retailers, fashion editors and reporters.

"We are thrilled to support Victoria Bartlett and applaud her ongoing commitment to animals and fur-free fashion," said Andrew Page, senior director of The HSUS' Fur-Free Campaign.

If Bartlett is opposed to animal cruelty, and she's told HSUS so, does that mean the organization is also educating her on the cruelties of leather and stipulating that animal skins not be used in the show that it, an animal org, is sponsoring? Or will the models in this fashion show be walking the runway in the leather boots and accessories that Bartlett designs and sells (e.g., the "banded leather armadillo boots" boasted about on the VPL site)? (I don't know the answer to this question with any certainty, and obviously, I have no idea what's going to be included in the show, but I've seen nothing indicating that Bartlett is giving leather the boot as well.)

Praising designers for going fur-free as a positive step in the right direction, I absolutely get; the fur industry is horrific, and we need people to publicly oppose it. But there's nothing humane about where leather comes from either. And outright sponsoring and essentially endorsing designers when they're still creating clothing from the skins of other slaughtered animals, I do not get.

What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

And if you're conflicted about leather, or you think that no animals are killed just for their skin or that purchasing leather doesn't directly or substantially fund slaughter, please read this recently-linked-to post on the stuff from the Discerning Brute at Crazy Sexy Life.

For more on where leather comes from, see also "Pregnancy at Slaughter: What Happens to the Calves? Part 2."

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Fox photo: Flickr user Rob Lee; calf photo: Flickr user kiwinz

Stephanie Ernst wrote the original Animal Rights blog at Change.org until December 2009. She can now be found at Animal Rights & AntiOppression.
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