Donna Karan Gets Flak From Anti-Fur Protesters at Awards Ceremony

For Immediate Release:
February 3, 2011

Contact:
Ashley Gonzalez 757-622-7382 

Washington -- Donna Karan has repeatedly promised to stop using fur in her designs, yet her latest collections include real rabbit fur. That's why PETA members—holding signs that feature an image of Karan meditating next to a slaughtered rabbit and read, "Donna Karan: New Age Hypocrite"—will greet attendees of the ShelterBox Humanitarian of the Year Award Reception in Washington, D.C., where Karan is a set to receive an award:

When:   Thursday, February 3, 5 p.m.

Where:  Outside the Liaison Capitol Hill, 415 New Jersey Ave. N.W. (near the intersection of New Jersey Avenue N.W. and E Street N.W.), Washington

"Donna Karan might aspire to be a New Ager, but when it comes to her obsession with fur, she's in the Stone Age," says PETA Senior Vice President of Campaigns Dan Mathews. "By continuing to use the skins of tortured rabbits in her designs, Karan is supporting one of the most hideous industries on the planet."

Donna Karan sources rabbit fur from China. Undercover investigations have revealed horrendous conditions on Chinese fur farms. Video footage of a Chinese fur farm shows that workers pulled rabbits out of cages by their ears and stunned the screaming animals with electrical devices. Rabbits watched as other animals had their throats cut and their heads and paws cut off with knives before the skin was peeled off their bodies.

Many top fashion designers—including Calvin Klein, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger—are 100 percent fur-free.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.