Vivienne Westwood Goes Fur-Free

MSNBC/Creative Commons

Add Dame Vivienne Westwood to the growing list of designers going fur-free. The renowned British designer—who is credited with pioneering modern punk and new-wave fashions and who helped create the avant-garde look of the Sex Pistols back in the day—has decided to ban fur from her lines, now and forever. I know it’s crushing to think that even the ever so original and avant-garde Sex Pistols had a “look” created for them, but hey, that’s the world we live in. Today, Westwood’s celebrity fans include Gwen Stefani, Mick Jagger, Marilyn Manson, and tons of others.

Oh, so about the fur thing. Westwood came to her compassionate decision after meeting with members of PETA Europe and learning about the suffering of animals raised and trapped for fur. The last of Westwood's furry items were eight rabbit-fur handbags, which the company allowed PETA Europe to donate to a wildlife sanctuary. Apparently, the bags will be used to comfort orphaned baby animals.*

The list of progressive fur-free designers is getting longer every day. Westwood joins Ralph Lauren, Betsey Johnson, Stella McCartney, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Comme des Garçons, Marc Bouwer, and others who have banned fur from their designs. It’s high time for Michael Kors and other furry designers to get their heads out of the sand and evolve. Seriously, it’s 2007 already. Get over it.

*Wow. I never thought I’d use the words “orphaned baby animals” and “Sex Pistols” in the same blog entry. Wonders never cease, I guess.