War on the fur industry

Maggie Mokrzycki, Staff Writer

The fur industry these days seems to be a dying industry. Prominent designer brands like Versace, Gucci and Michael Kors all cut fur from their collections. Fur may be getting fazed out, but one brand is challenging that. The infamous Canada Goose jacket is a staple for many who live in colder climates. The  patch on the arm is one that many can recognize. Some even claim it is the warmest jacket in the world.Many have an issue with their use of a fur trimmed hood. The trim on the hood is created from coyote fur that are killed by getting their foot trapped in a snare and then shot in the head. There is not a humane way to kill an animal, but Canada Goose’s methods are far from painless. Yet many overlook this when purchasing a jacket that is a sign of wealth. In today’s society, wealth and warmth seem to go hand in hand. We value status over life.

With fur slowly disappearing from the runways of fashion week, it’s hard to understand the appeal. The large fashion houses have an  impact on consumerism and they often inspire smaller less expensive brands. Even in department stores, the selection of fur clothing is decreasing. However, Canada Goose jackets are still available in every store, and are almost always surrounded by small crowd of people trying them on.

Many fur products are made out of mink or rabbit fur, and this is where the problem begins. As Americans, we do not eat mink or rabbit in large quantities, so the bodies of the skinned animals are discarded and not put to use.

This is one of the biggest issues with fur: the waste. Animals are captured, killed and breed for the purpose of producing fur trims and bag key chains. Canada Goose dismisses the claims of useless killing because they use coyote fur rather than other furs. The company argues that coyote fur is in abundance and claims that it is helping the environment. They believe that going completely synthetic will raise carbon emissions into the air Goose admits the killing is not painless but claims it is justified because of the damage coyotes have done to livestock production. Canada Goose jackets don’t only include coyote fur.r The company also uses goose down, a fact which is often completely overlooked.

In some cases, the jackets also pose a personal threat to those who wear the jackets. Chicagoans have been getting these clothes ripped off of them because their  luxury look is easy to spot. This is the case with many luxury goods, but wear them at your own risk

When considering buying a new coat, ask yourself if you really need one or if it is just being purchased for vanity. Buying what is needed not what is wanted can reduce our impacts on the environment. Being a thoughtful consumer and making mindful purchases is the start to changing the industry.