We are big-time followers of the comments sections on blogs and news stories, and whenever a new article comes out about fur in fashion, it’s sure to provoke a lot of heated discussion in the peanut gallery.

For fun, we compiled some of the most outrageous, thoughtful, and noteworthy comments on a few recent stories. Sometimes the insight is valuable; sometimes the facts are questionable at best. Peruse at your own risk below.

Article: “Thakoon Dabbles in Fur, Tailored Luxe”
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Commenter: Julia

“It is sad to see fur in fashion. I am a fashion lover and I spend a lot of money on it. That has nothing to do with the fact that the Chinese fur trade involves the live skinning of millions of animals (200 per day) – a fact that is somehow lost on fashion lovers. Surely, some of them should at least type in China+fur in their google search and look up the facts such as this report from Swiss Animal Protection and find out the facts- how can anyone with any sense of decency still purchase a product which is made from animals who were skinned alive? The animals include rabbits , dogs, cats, foxes etc. It is time this issue was discussed in earnest with the seriousness it merits.

“Its probably important that people realise what the difference is between wearing fur and leather shoes. There is a reasonable chance your leather shoes may come as a product of the Western meat industry- this means that your cow may have been stunned before it had its throat cut. However, 90% of all fur imports come from China, where there are no animal rights laws. About 200 animals every minute, foxes, dogs, cats (strays or abducted from owners) and raccoon dogs (who are dogs) (not that the species matters!) are bashed against the ground to break their necks to be made immobile. They are fully conscious while they are skinned alive with skinning done with knife at the belly. It can take six hours. The animals scream and struggle. The workers step on their heads to hold them down of bash them. Why do they do this? Apparently it is easier to skin a live animal than one who is dead with rigour mortis. The entire skin is pulled from the animal even from its head and then the animal body is thrown on a pile of other bodies without fur. The animals continue to blink and their hearts beat for a further 10 seconds. All exploitation of animals is cruel. But this surely is unacceptable altogether. So, start taking this issue seriously and stop buying fur. It is the only way to stop this vile trade.”

Article: “Tim Gunn on Fur and Project Runway”
Source: Reuters
Commenter: cdbehrle

“I agree that fur should be being ethically sourced and correctly labeled, and effort should be made to prevent illegally procured, endangered and otherwise questionable furs from being used, but I have a greater problem with the question of fake fur and leather vs real fur and leather.

“Any affordable synthetic furs and leathers at this point are petroleum products, or polyester, also known as ‘micro fiber’ with all the same polluting, non-biodegradable, here for the next 50,000 or so years half-life.

“Leather is protective & non-flammable (which is why motorcyclists and glass blowers wear it) will bio-degrade and it’s life as a functional garment, bag etc. can easily span 20 years or more.

“Reducing the amount of cheap, throw-away or limited use and eternally lasting flow of polyester and it’s likes that are filling up our already massively strained landfill system on it’s own justifies the use of REAL Leather and ethical Fur over synthetics.

“Attempts to ‘develop’ synthetic leather substitutes started over well 100 years ago and have not seem to have progressed much past “ultrasuede” for feel and longevity, and unless the process becomes entirely divorced from petroleum it won’t solve any of the inherent problems.”

Article: “Video: NYC Stores Caught Mislabeling Fur”
Source: Gothamist.com
Commenter: green

“I don’t care if you eat meat or wear leather shoes from that cows hide but do you honestly not care if your fur items come from cat + dogs that are skinned alive just for their fur? Most are stolen pets. Hooked like fish.”

Article: “Fuzzy Logic”
Source: The New York Times
Commenter: Marko

“Oh, dear, I don’t even want to go into this topic – I’ve been attacked so many times by some of my friends, you know, for being a meat eater. I don’t know: wear the species you eat, charles almon? Okay, I’m not really interested in PETA anyway, and their 19th century Peter-Singer-esque utilitarian chitchat. They can’t even put their cause into context. Love of animals brings hatred of human beings too often. And that’s not the only problem. I don’t even know where to begin.

“But I want to make something clear considering NY fashion week: I actually, believe it or not, found good elements in shows that I found solid, good, pleasing, joyful, even bad etc. But I struck myself as being a patronizing liberal, you know, “focus on the good”. Well, I believe in this and follow it, in designers and fashion design. It’s not mere dismissal or making people angry at any cost. At all. Okay, I’ve cleared my throat, now on to Europe, that old history amusement park.”

Article: “Jason Wu Plans Full Fur Collection”
Source: Marie Claire U.K.
Commenter: aron

“does he need to kill beautifull animals to make fashion? i guess using fur is a perfect screen to hide is lack of talent.fashion designers make me sick sometimes”

Article: “On Question of Fur Use, Answers Are Fuzzy”
Source: The Des Moines Register
Commenter: Louise

“The conservation movement is not the same as the animal rights movement. Some people belong to both, but some do not. Some of the most dedicated Iowa conservationists hunt and/or fish. 

“And there can be real conflicts between the movements, a prime example being deer hunting. There are some animal rights advocates who would rather see wildflowers and butterflies extirpated by deer overpopulation than to ever kill a deer. 

“There are also differences between animal-welfare advocates and animal-rights advocates, though there can also be a lot of overlap. And I know a few people who hunt deer but never buy CAFO pork. The real situation is a lot more complicated than the stereotype of the liberal who belongs to both PETA and the Sierra Club.”