Activity: External talk or presentation › Invited talk
Description
A discussion of the historical and contemporary debates surrounding the use of animal products in fashion, focusing on fur and feathers. Beginning with an examination of the prolific fashions for the use of natural specimens on garments in the 1880s, it considers the establishment of organisations fighting for the protection of such animals during this period (RSPB etc.) in direct response. Contemporary ethical debates concerning the use of synthetic versus natural skins are considered, including PETA’s “Would you rather go naked…?” campaign and Stella McCartney’s vocal opposition to animal cruelty. The lecture culminates in a consideration of the recent Renaissance of fur on the catwalk and high street while considering explanations concerning the “sustainability” of fur as a fabric for its biodegradable properties and government regulation.