In 2005, Vogue editor Anna Wintour was pelted with a pie thrown by a PETA protestor at Paris Fashion Week. (AP/Guardian.co.uk)

We were disheartened to see the news that PETA’s website for kids now hosts a video game in which budding activists can throw rotten tomatoes at people in fur coats. The game’s introduction even says that game players can find tomatoes in real-life produce aisles, with the directive: “No mink stole or raccoon wrap is safe from a pulpy projectile that’s gone to seed.”

A blogger for the Dallas Morning News writes:

In real life, of course, this is assault, and it’s illegal. And I wonder how ethical it is to teach kids to assault other people and destroy property just because those people don’t happen to share the same views as Peta members do about animals. What would Peta say if, for example, Rush Limbaugh urged tea partiers (or their children) to run around throwing tomatoes at anyone they believe is acting too liberal, like lettuce-wearing members of Peta?

And where does Peta drawn the line? I wear a leather belt and leather shoes. Does that mean I’m a tomato target too?

It’s disappointing to see that a prominent group would advocate threatening the personal safety and property of people with opposing views, only to say that animals deserve better treatment — and directing this contradictory message at kids, no less. There are better (and more legal) ways to make the point.

(Courtesy of ShalomNewYork.com)

A controversial law that will ban the import and sale of fur in Israel is set for debate next week. If passed, the law will be the first one in any country that outright bans the fur trade.

AOL News reports:

On Sept. 2, the Knesset is due to debate the second and third readings of the groundbreaking bill introduced by Ronit Tirosh, a legislator from the opposition Kadima Party, to outlaw the production, processing, import, export and sale of fur from all animal species not already part of the meat industry.

There was some opposition from religious groups representing ultra-orthodox Jews, whose traditional festive headgear, known as a shtreimel, is made partly from fox fur. Tirosh introduced a clause in her proposed legislation allowing for the import of fox fur for religious purposes.

Israel’s fur trade generates only about $1 million a year in sales — a tiny slice of the overall $11 billion market. However, the people who do provide that demand for fur will be forced to turn to the black market to get what they want. And we’re not sure that’s an improvement.

Once fur is illegal, there will be no regulatory safeguards (like the Origin Assured program) that will protect how the fur was obtained. Therefore, a ban could potentially lead to worse conditions for animals raised for their fur.

Thoughts from the peanut gallery?

Two models wear sealskin coats by German designer Bente Houmann Andersson. (Courtesy of NunatsiaqOnline.ca)

The contentious European Union ban on Canadian seal fur has been temporarily suspended, pending a lawsuit filed on behalf of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, a tribal group that represents 53,000 native Canadians who rely on the seal hunt for their livelihoods.

Canada’s CBC News reports:

The proposed EU ban does exempt trade in seal products that come from aboriginal groups, but [ITK president Mary] Simon said the Inuit fear their sales will still plummet when the ban comes into effect.

“When the market collapses, our market collapses with it,” she said. “This has a very direct impact, and therefore, this Inuit exemption, or so-called Inuit exemption, won’t work for us.”

Animal welfare advocates said the temporary court setback ultimately won’t change the fate of the seal hunt.

“The EU court may wish to look more closely at the ban, but the court of public opinion around the world is clear: the seal slaughter is uniquely cruel and no market wants the pelts,” said Dan Mathews of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

“At the end of the day, this is a consumer issue and seal skin has a worse stigma with the public than herpes.”

PETA may be exaggerating about the unanimous rejection of sealskin; recent surveys in China show young, affluent Chinese shoppers are open to it. But then again, the issue isn’t as cut and dried as animal-rights activists would prefer.

For more about the ban’s impact on Inuit communities, read up in our archives.

We read with dismay the news that fur activists had anonymously taken credit for an act of arson against a couple who once owned a mink farm in Oregon.

The extremist group known as the Animal Liberation Front published the admission on its website:

We delivered eight incendiary devices to the lovely folks at Ylipelto’s Fur Farm, at 92659 Simonsen Loop Road in Astoria on the morning of July 27th. It is nice to see that the enslavement, torture, and death of thousands of innocent creatures affords certain people luxuries like boats, nice cars, and various (expensive, no doubt) farm machinery, and we were more than happy to alleviate them of these. A careful attack sent structures up in flame both in the front and rear of the property, simultaneously. We hope that this can leave an impression on our friends, Veikko & Eeva, that making such a living off of the subjugation of sentient creatures (for something as selfish and disgusting as the fashion industry, no less) will not be tolerated.

Trouble is, the elderly couple that owns the farm had given up the fur business after activists twice broke into their operation to release their minks in 2008 and 2009. So in addition to losing their livelihood, the Ylipeltos have now lost what remained of their property as well.

No matter where you stand on the fur issue, it’s just not right to bankrupt an elderly couple out of spite, just because you disagree on an ideological matter.

Katharine Hamnett has been one of the most influential green designers since the 1980s when she first plotted the green cotton revolution. She’s truly the stuff of fashion legends.

And in keeping with her signature slogan tees, she’s designed an exclusive beachwear line for online designer boutique Yoox.com.

According to the press materials:

The eco-friendly capsule collection is made up of 14 exclusive pieces featuring the slogan “SAVE THE SEA”. Each item has been made from renewable fabrics, organic cotton and recycled polyester, in the utmost respect for the environment and the sea.

“I called this collection SAVE THE SEA, as the sea we all love is dying. It’s important as consumers and people with the power to vote to be aware of the facts so we can do whatever is save it.” — Katharine Hamnett

She’s offering beachwear and accessories for both men and women. Check out the whole collection here.

You all know by know that we’re fans of Brilliant Earth’s work to support sustainable and responsible jewelry making. Now the company is working to fight the horrifying consequences of the blood diamond trade in Zimbabwe — but they want your help.

Danielle from BrilliantEarth.com writes us:

Several years ago, following the global outcry against blood diamonds that led to the KP, Brilliant Earth was founded to pioneer a new way of doing business in the jewelry industry. Our idea was simple: to offer high-quality jewelry that is ethical and beneficial for all involved. As a retailer, we feel passionate about—and even responsible for—creating a more humane diamond industry.

To further our consumer educational campaigns, we have launched a petition on Change.org to give individuals an easy and effective way to add their voice to the call for Kimberley Process reform. To show our support and encourage consumer action, we will donate a dollar to communities harmed by the jewelry trade for every new signature up to $10,000!

Read the company’s Blood Diamonds Fact Sheet to bone up on recent developments in the trade of conflict gems first. Because only you can decide whether this is a cause you believe in.

Service Systems Associates (SSA), which operates gift shops in 28 zoos, aquariums, and museums across the country, has joined SeaWeb’s Too Precious to Wear Campaign, which seeks to end the use of endangered coral in fashion. Previously, coral jewelry could be found in SSA’s gift shops in 17 city zoos as well as the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Tulsa Zoo & Living Museum, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Hermann Park Conservancy, Pretend City Children’s Museum, and the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa.

According to a SeaWeb press release:

“SSA is committed to sustainability in every aspect of its operations, especially in the products we provide to consumers,” said Kevin McNicholas, president of SSA. “Making sure that real coral is left where it belongs—in the ocean—and not in our stores is important to us. We are proud to join forces with SeaWeb to raise awareness about threats facing corals and let customers know what they can do to help protect them.”

Others companies that have signed the pledge include Tiffany & Co., Lilly Pulitzer, Pottery Barn, Lela Rose, and Chantecaille.

Congrats to SeaWeb on its latest victory!

Attendees of the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) conference last week were told to expect a large PETA presence opposed to the use of wool in fashion, but only one protestor showed up in Paris.

The protestor held up a sign that read “Australia Stop Mulesing Now,” gave a two-minute speech, and left peaceably.

The response to the one-woman protest was mixed, according to the Rural Press. Conference-goers felt the small showing meant anti-mulesing efforts are losing traction, but PETA insists that is not the case.

[W]hen Rural Press contacted PETA and asked if they felt they were losing support for their campaign against surgical mulesing, Ashley Fruno, Senior Campaigner PETA Asia-Pacific, denied it was.

Instead, Mr Fruno insisted that its protest in Paris was “very successful.”

“The activists didn’t expect to get in, but we were thrilled that they were able to and give such a long speech, as well as speak to many people afterwards,” Mr Fruno said.

Catch up on the mulesing debate here.

Women of the Green Generation is presenting its first annual eco-expo on June 12 in downtown Los Angeles.

The all-day event will feature 50 green businesses and experts to help you make long-lasting changes to your carbon footprint — not just in the fashion and beauty arenas, but in your home and lifestyle as well.

Speakers include Rebecca Harrell Tickell, author of the book Hot, Rich and Green; Rachel Avalon, the 2009 winner of the Project Green Search modeling competition; Sophie Uliano, the woman behind Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life; and dozens more.

And here’s a great little extra: The event sponsors will be offering rides to attendees on an algae-fueled bus that picks up in Santa Monica.

Too cool!

Tickets to the expo are $50 and can be purchased here.

Harry Potter star and good planetary citizen Emma Watson has a new line of clothing out with British fair-trade powerhouse People Tree. And to celebrate the launch of the affordably priced collection (which can be browsed here), Ms. Watson sat down for a video series to empower young people to learn more about fashion ethics.

Says the winsome actress:

“It’s so important to know where our clothes are made. It’s rare to find clothes that are made in the states or England, for me. What fair trade is, is the workers [in other countries] who make our clothes are supported and given rights. Getting paid a fair price for what they do can mean a roof over their heads or sending their children to school.”

You can view Part 2 of the video chat here.