Stella McCartney 2009 Bambi advert campaign
“Fashion is supposed to be all about change – I mean, we’re supposed to be at the cutting edge! I can only think that they don’t care as much as people in other industries. So, yes, I think people in fashion are pretty heartless.”
– Stella McCartney
How many of you wear leather, or even more daringly, wear real fur? Stella McCartney, one of the world’s most successful designers argues that it is morally wrong to persist in wearing items made from animal by-products. In fact, Stella is so committed to her cause she refuses ALL by-products. As well as this, she has been a vegetarian for all of her life, in part due to her upbringing with the late Linda McCartney and ex-Beatles’ lead Paul.
I love animals, but I also wear leather and I eat meat. Does this make me heartless? This is always an issue which I find very interesting because there are plenty of people quick to attack those who wear fur, but how many of these people then go onto attacking non-vegetarians? I think it reeks of double-standards. Criticisms about those who wear leather must also be accompanied by an equally forceful stance on those who eat meat, or if you’re feeling super-determined, fish!
It was reported recently that Stella McCartney dislikes Lindsay Lohan wearing her products because she does not want to be associated with such a high-profile fur and leather wearer. In the nineties I remember PETA targeted those who wear furs, and to a large extent, those who DO want to wear fur opt for vintage furs, rather than encouraging the industry to remain today.
Obviously, we all have free choice, but maybe there are grounds to take meat off of our plates? Maybe in the future we will see more and more people turning to vegetarianism as they recognise the moral implications of their lifestyle.
For those of us who eat meat and wear leather, should we have to question our actions and wonder whether eating meat is hypocritical when we are also self-proclaimed animal lovers?
I don’t doubt that there are many awful practices involved in the meat industry, but how many of us really know what has happened to the animal that is on our plate? While this has been contested by many vegetarians, being carnivorous does have its health benefits.
Even so, we need to weigh up how we feel personally about not only our lifestyle, but our consuming habits. I believe we all have the right to eat and wear what we want, but you could argue that the animals have the right to die a humane death?
I definitely will keep my eye on this issue, although at the moment salmon and chicken, at the very least, will remain on my shopping list.
I was raised vegetarian. No fish. And, it turns out I’m a closet vegan most of the time too (I just can’t stand the taste of milk). But, I wear leather, and I also own a fur piece (vintage). But, I almost feel more comfortable wearing leather than I would “pleather”…which I think comes from petroleum. I think that leather would probably take a shorter breakdown time. Every time PETA protesters throw flour on fur-wearers, I just shake my head. So, I have no idea if I said anything? Lol.
Great post!!
Amber
http://ambersmouthwash.blogspot.com/
Ps. I would love to exchange links with you!
Comment by Amber — October 19, 2009 @ 11:18 am
i love this campain!even if i cried i little when i was just a kid with that movie….
xxx
mablingthing.blogspot.com
Comment by IG — October 19, 2009 @ 2:11 pm
Great post, it’s all true! I love your blog, so colorful, really cute.
Comment by Charlotte — October 19, 2009 @ 2:52 pm
thanks! im so glad you like it! your site is gorgeous! x
Comment by krystal simpson — October 19, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
Great blog! I will definitely be back!
Comment by Sara — October 19, 2009 @ 4:30 pm
Ok, here are my two cents. There is a difference between using animals and torturing them. The meat industry in the US is extremely cruel, death by throat slashing is not pretty, it is painful and often times doesn’t do it’s job quick (kosher is based on little more than superstition). I am not sure why factory meat cannot be killed with a shotgun (probably laws, cost), I know many farmers who sue this method, and it is the way used in South America, and it is VERY quick. Many other mean things are done to animals in factories, like cutting beaks, horns and tails with no painkillers.
The fur industry is almost mostly cruel. While there are a few ethical fur farms, even in the US, most are places that will remind you of Auswitz on a good day, the movie Saw on a worse one.
While there will always be nay sayers, I believe that less noise would be made if animals’ welfare would be ensured when used for meat and fur. I believe it is our responsibility to ask where our food and clothing comes from to make an informed decision.
I personally don’t eat any meat other than chicken that is cage free, humane raised and handled, and slaughtered in an ethical manner. Some 100% vegs still criticize me, but most say that my stance is “fair enough”.
You can buy grass fed beef from companies that look after the animal’s welfare, or go to your farmers market and ask about the farm’s practices.
Ignorance I don’t think is an excuse, but Peta has taken these conversations back rather than opening the dialogue. The HSUS has come a lot further by talking to people instead of attacking them… Look at their site, it’s http://www.hsus.org.
Sorry for the long message! I really enjoy your blog.
Comment by Sole — October 20, 2009 @ 10:43 am
Hi There
Spending the weekend at Mt Pinos Ski .
Anyone been there last week?
When I lived in the midwest ,
I liked, like Snow Creek Ski and Hidden Valley Ski Missouri
L8r
Comment by Buissiody — January 16, 2010 @ 3:55 pm
This is a good blog.Here are my comments for what they contribute to the debate. I am a dedicated vegetarian and have been for a decade. When I first stopped eatting meat I also gave up as many leather products as I could except shoes.I found the non-leather alternatives unacceptable, so on this issue I disagree with Stella McCartney.
I eventually started bicking and tried to buy non – leather biking gear. Eventually I gave up and bought full black leathers, which I enjoy wearing. I have been able to customise my jacket to reflect the rocker look i like. to be honest I enjoy wearing leather as it reflects who I am.
So am I being hypocritical and uncaring to animals because I wear the meat industries by-product. Or as a dog lover who has housed and saved several dogs from being put down by giving them a home am I an animal lover.
You debate yourselves while I pull on my gorgeoues studded black biker leathers
Comment by Leatherrockerjacket1968 — March 6, 2010 @ 6:27 am