August 28, 2021 18:05
With the passing of the “Limit of Heat” (Chu Shu), the summer heat has gradually receded, and 2021 has formally entered the autumn and winter seasons. Whether it is the crisp air of autumn or the freezing cold of winter, warm clothing is indispensable.
Especially in winter, weapons against the cold are essential, such as down jackets, wool coats, and—for some—a more suitable choice: fur.
In winter, it is no exaggeration to say that fur has always been an enduring favorite in the clothing industry. Particularly during the peak era of fur, the entire world revered fur apparel, whether for women’s or men’s fashion.
However, the use of real fur has always been widely criticized. Making a single fur coat requires the pelts of many animals, and the methods used to harvest them are extremely cruel. If, through continuous fabric research and development, faux fur could match real fur in every aspect, would anyone still choose real fur?
The answer is, of course, no.
Most notable is STELLA MCCARTNEY, a brand that has consistently refused to use genuine leather and fur, followed by CALVIN KLEIN, the first luxury brand to join the Fur Free Alliance.
Subsequently, RALPH LAUREN and GIORGIO ARMANI announced they would stop using fur in 2015 and 2016, respectively. GUCCI announced it would go fur-free in October 2017, and MICHAEL KORS (MK) followed suit a month later.
In short, with growing awareness of environmental protection and animal conservation, apparel made from animal fur has faced boycotts, and numerous major fashion brands have joined the fur-free camp. The continuous expansion of this “fur-free” camp dictates the expansion and rapid development of the faux fur industry.
Looking back at the fashion industry in 2020, major brands seemed to tacitly stir up a “green storm.” Renowned brands replaced real fur in their products with artificial fur and held multiple green fashion shows.
Consequently, faux fur transformed from a so-called “cheap imitation” into an essential item that best aligns with the values of the fashion circle. This has also enabled more—and younger—brands to excel in the path of faux leather and faux fleece.
Of course, aside from the promotion by these major manufacturers, the continuous refinement of faux fur production technology is the fundamental reason for its rising dominance!
Nowadays, faux fur technology is increasingly sophisticated and incredibly realistic. It is difficult for a layperson to distinguish it by touch; usually, only professionals can tell the difference.
Furthermore, through constant technological innovation, the thermal insulation of artificial fur has improved, and its texture is becoming closer to that of real fur. Additionally, artificial fur is easier to manipulate for multi-color dyeing, which allows for a greater variety of faux fur clothing options with more versatile shapes and colors.
The most important point, and one that many concern themselves with, is the safety of faux fur.
In reality, most real fur contains heavy metal components, which can be easily absorbed by the human body and cause allergic reactions. This makes faux fur (especially styles where the fur faces inward) relatively safer than real fur. Moreover, many brands now use more environmentally friendly plant resources, organic materials, and high-tech materials.
Finally, we call for the gradual utilization of more environmentally friendly materials to create more green space for the future.