Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Objectives_____________________________________2
Chapter 1-Its a Historical World
The history of fur in fashion________________________3
The significance of animal pelt in early societies________5
Relationships between fur and ruling classes___________5
Chapter 2-Its a Furry World
Technological advancements in the processing of animal
pelts_____________________________________________8
Accessibility of fashion fur_________________________8
Designers and fashion furs_________________________9
Chapetr 3-its an Actionable World
Animal rights organizations_______________________11
Conclusion____________________________________12
Vocabulary____________________________________13
Bibliography__________________________________14
Objectives:
Animal pelts, or fur and leather, have been used by humankind as clothing since the
earliest times to protect their bodies from climatic conditions and harm. Furs and leather
have remained popular over the ages because of their warmth, durability, and their status
symbol. In certain early societies animal pelts and their by-products took on mystical or
spiritual powers when worn by hunters or the ruling classes. In European societies luxury
furs became associated with social stratification. In the last two centuries, the growing
middle classes in Western Europe and in North America have developed a love for
fashion furs as a way of expressing their social status, or to give themselves an ultramodern look. Since the 1980s questions have been raised about the ethics of using
animal products as entire species may have been wiped out by fashion. Despite the
efforts of anti-fur activists and their sensitizing campaigns associated with animal
cruelty, the popularity of wrapping oneself in a sensual second skin continues to
persist. Could it be that some people still believe in a hidden form of contagious magic
when attired in fur or leather?
in
the
the
of the highly coveted fur industry as they had access to the finest Russian furs,
particularly ermine (the white winter coat of weasels). They became known as the
masters of the fur trade.
With the colonization of New France and New England between the 17th and 18th
Centuries, Western European furriers, hatters, and leather manufacturers were assured an
almost unlimited supply of pelts. However, luxury furs continued to be accessible only to
the wealthy and powerful classes. Anyone unable to afford the expensive skins (ermine,
sable, weasel, squirrel, bear, beaver, must, lynx, otter, polecat, marten, and fox) had to
satisfy themselves with the cheaper varieties (hare, rabbit, lamb, and wolf). After 1870,
the fur trade between North America and Europe was no longer a major industry. Fur
farms began to fill the void, the 85% of the fur used today comes from farmed animals.
Early French fashion designers such as Jeanne Paquin and Paul Poiret started to use
fur regularly in their collections in the early 1900s. By the 1930s, fur was used in
abundance by designers as trim for coats, collars and cuffs. According to Lee, the biggest
names in fashion have experimented with different types of fur. In 2000, for example, the
following furs were used by designers: Miuccia Prada, tippet and racoon; Albert Ferretti,
hamster; Narciso Rodriguez, fox, Galliano, chinchilla; Marc Jacob, mink, and Gaultier,
sable . Present day designers are still featuring luxury furs and leather in their
collections, notably: Michael Kors, Fall Winter, 2012; Marc Jacobs, Fall 2011; Hugo
Boss Womens, Fall 2011; Jean Paul Gaultier, Spring/Summer, 2011; Vera Wang, Fall
2011.
Fortunes have been made over the centuries from the exploitation of fur-bearing
animals to satisfy human needs and vanities. The technological sophistication and
application of artistic skills in the treatment of pelts have opened the doors to seductive
new designs and styles. It would seem that the controversies surrounding the plight of
animals in the 1980s-1990s may have created havoc on fur farms, but according to Lee
(2003) the bulk of the consumers turned away their heads in indifference. Since that
period of time faux fur has become quite popular as an alternative to using animal skins
for dress. However, some people will argue that faux fur is a plastic product made from
petroleum, which consumes natural resources, and it creates pollution in the
manufacturing state. Modern marketing strategies, rapid communication about new
trends through the mass media, collective tastes, and the social environment suggest that
fashion furs continue to have staying power.
According to a paper published in 2000 by Harold Herzog and Lorna Dorr, previous
academic surveys of attitudes towards animal rights have tended to suffer from small
sample sizes and non-representative groups. However, a number of factors appear to
correlate with the attitude of individuals regarding the treatment of animals and animal
rights. These include gender, age, occupation, religion, and level of education. There has
also been evidence to suggest that prior experience with companion animals may be a
factor in people's attitudes.
Gender has repeatedly been shown to be a factor in how people view animals, with
women more likely to support animal rights than men. A 1996 study of adolescents by
Linda Pifer suggested that factors that may partially explain this discrepancy include
attitudes towards feminism and science, scientific literacy, and the presence of a greater
emphasis on "nurturance or compassion" amongst women.
A 2007 survey to examine whether or not people who believed in evolution were
more likely to support animal rights than creationists and believers in intelligent design
found that this was largely the case according to the researchers, the respondents who
were strong Christian fundamentalists and believers in creationism were less likely to
advocate for animal rights than those who were less fundamentalist in their beliefs. The
findings extended previous research, such as a 1992 study which found that 48% of
animal rights activists were atheists or agnostic.
Two surveys found that attitudes towards animal rights tactics, such as direct action,
are very diverse within the animal rights communities. Near half (50% and 39% in two
surveys) of activists do not support direct action. One survey concluded "it would be a
mistake to portray animal rights activists as homogeneous."
PETA
People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals is an American animal rights
organization based in Norfolk, Virginia,
and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its
international president. A non-profit
corporation with 300 employees, it says
it has three million members and
supporters and is the largest animal rights group in the world. Its slogan is
"animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment or abuse in
any way."
Conclusion:
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Vocabulary
Pelt piele
Entire intreg
Wiped sters
Wrapping ambalaj
Hidden ascuns
Attired imbracat
Prowess dibacie
Reverence respect
Affinity afinitate
Ermine hermina
Mink nurca
Otter - vidra
Clergy cler (preotime)
To adorn a impodobi
Demand cerere
Cachet stampila
Disposable disponibil
To trim a tunde
Plight conditie
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Bibliography:
http://www.studymode.com/essays/Using-Animal-Fur-Is-aFashion-181937.html
http://www.directessays.com/viewpaper/95251.html
https://smoney313.wordpress.com/2010/09/20/argumentativeessay-you-have-your-own-skin-don%E2%80%99t-steal-theirs/
http://kpopfreemp.890m.com/b5fe9d1/international-anti-furcoalition-.html
http://www.infurmation.com/
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/fur_fashion/tips/furfree_shopping.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_rights
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_for_the_Ethical_Treatment_
of_Animals
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_animal_rights_groups
http://www.animalliberationfront.com/ALFront/ActionsRussianALF/Anti-Fur.htm
http://www.teenink.com/opinion/environment/article/50058/PETA
-doesnt-treat-animals-ethically/
http://www.antifurcoalition.org/
http://www.elle.com/fashion/personal-style/a2498/essay-on-furand-animal-rights/
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