If the label says it’s real fur, can you be sure it’s not fake?
Mislabelling of materials is adding to customer confusion, as the debate over the use of fur in the fashion industry continues
Whether one is pro or anti-fur, it is assumed that buying, say, a parka or bag with fur trim is clearly marked on a tag. Regrettably, this isn’t always the case.
In a report published in January, the Humane Society International found that high-street brands and some of the biggest online retailers are selling wares that are too often made from the pelts of cats, dogs, raccoons and rabbits. Mislabelling has become increasingly pervasive, and what the average shopper believes is fake is sometimes the real thing. Blame it on the surplus of materials in China, a leading exporter of fur, and blatantly ignoring regulations that many nations have enacted.
“There are many new retailers and merchants selling fur for the first time,” says Charles Ross, the business manager of sustainability and supply chain management at Saga Furs, a leading auction house that sells certified fur pelts to the global fur and fashion trade. “It is possible that a mislabelling mistake can happen, but that is not a significant concern for the consumer or the retailer because this could only happen in very rare cases.”
Blind faith in manufacturers and their awareness of the supply chain has caused items to make it onto the sales floor. For companies that would suffer an enormous backlash if their labels were not up to standard, using experts to validate what they offer clients is crucial. But what about the items already in circulation? How can the average person distinguish a real fur from a fake one?
Here is a quick guide on how to ensure the label on your purchase is accurate.
Leather
Natural fur products have a leather base, so hairs grow out of skin and are not applied with thread or glue. “The leather to which the hair is attached should be visible when you part the hair and not woven tightly onto a fabric or plastic,” says Lysa Lash, a fourth-generation furrier in Canada. “The leather should be creamy white and soft. Better yet, try to open the lining to get a peek at the underside of the fur. It always should be leather [if it’s a real fur pelt].”
Look
