Pei Su, the creator of the anti-fur organization ACTAsia, expresses gratitude that major fashion brands at London Fashion Week have chosen to exclude real fur from their collections. Having witnessed the cruelty of fur farming firsthand, Su is alarmed by the recent trend among celebrities and influencers advocating for the use of real fur.
In 2023, London Fashion Week made a significant decision to officially go fur-free, a move that Su celebrated. However, she is disheartened to see a resurgence of interest in real fur within the younger generation, who are often seen as drivers of positive change.
Through her work with ACTAsia, Su is acutely aware of the atrocities within the fur industry, where millions of animals like foxes, mink, and raccoon dogs are bred and slaughtered annually. The recent promotion of fur by popular figures like TikTok influencers and celebrities such as Kendall Jenner, Ice Spice, and Rihanna is seen as a step backward in compassionate fashion.
Su emphasizes the cruelty, environmental impact, and global health risks associated with fur farming. She refutes the notion that vintage fur is sustainable, arguing that it only normalizes the use of fur and perpetuates demand.
While the UK has banned fur farming domestically, the import and sale of fur are still permitted, allowing stores like Harrods and Louis Vuitton to continue selling fur products. Su calls for support for a parliamentary bill led by MP Ruth Jones to ban the import and sale of fur in the UK.
ACTAsia’s efforts to change perceptions around fur focus on China, a key player in the global fur trade. Despite a decline in fur farms in China, millions of pelts are still produced annually. Over 1600 retailers worldwide have joined the Fur Free Retailers scheme, with ACTAsia enlisting 112 retailers in China.
In a positive move, London Fashion Week has also banned exotic animal skins starting in 2024, while New York Fashion Week has become fur-free. Although Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks still feature fur, they are facing increasing opposition and loss of sponsorship.
As the UK progresses in eliminating fur from the fashion industry, Su urges individuals to make thoughtful choices to prevent a regression in animal rights progress. Pei Su, the founder and CEO of ACTAsia, a UN-supported NGO, is dedicated to fostering compassion for animals, people, and the environment. For more information on ACTAsia’s initiatives, visit www.actasia.org.