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HISTORY AND USAGE Fur is generally thought to have been among the first materials used for clothing and bodily decoration. The exact date when clothes were first used is debated (see Clothes ). Several species of hominoids including Homo Sapiens and Homo Neandertalis used fur clothing. Fur clothes are worn in many cultures. They are especially popular in colder countries due to their excellent Insulation . The Eskimo peoples of the Arctic relied on fur for most of their clothing, and it also forms a part of traditional Russian , Scandinavian and Japanese clothing. Today, winter clothes such as scarves and coats or coat trimmings are the garments most commonly made from fur. Animal furs used in garments and trim may be dyed bright colors or to mimic exotic animal patterns: alternatively they may be left their original pattern and colour. Fur may be shorn down to imitate the feel of a soft velvet fabric. FUR INDUSTRY Common animal sources for fur clothing and fur trimmed accessories include:
Most fur is obtained from animals farmed specifically for the purpose: however some animals, particularly beavers and seals, are hunted in the wild for their fur. Most animals on fur farms are killed by anal electrocution {Link without Title} , but some are gassed. The manufacturing of fur clothing involves obtaining animal pelts where the hair is left on the animal's processed skin. In contrast, Leather made from Sheepskin or other animal hides involves removing the fur from the skin and using only the skin. The use of Wool involves shearing the animal's hair from the living animal, so that the wool can be regrown. Fake Fur or "faux fur" designates any Synthetic Material that mimics the appearance and feel of real fur, without the use of animal products. The chemical treatment of fur to increase its felting quality is known as carroting, as the process tends to turn the tips of the fur a yellowish-red "carrot like" colour. CONTROVERSY See Also: Fur farming Animal Welfare advocates object to the trapping and killing of wildlife, and the confinement and killing of animals on " Fur Farms ," when many synthetic "faux fur" alternatives are available. On the other hand, genuine fur remains popular in many countries, e.g. sable winter hats in Russia , beaver pelt coats in Canada , and fox wraps in Japan . Fur advocates will boast about its warmth, style, and the fact that it's a 100% renewable resource. Many will also argue that it is superior to fake fur in that it is a Petroleum product and is therefore harmful to the environment where as a real fur garment is said to be completely biodegradable. One of the most controversial areas of the fur industry is the annual Seal Hunt held in Canada. Many have criticised the hunt as being cruel: however, defenders of the hunt claim that it is humane and that many negative aspects have been overstated. 95% of the seals killed annually are under 3 months old. {Link without Title} Seal fur has been banned in many countries including Croatia and the United States. FUR FETISHES The soft, warm texture of fur appeals to many people; for some, the attraction becomes a Fur Fetishism , a fetishistic attraction to people wearing fur, or in certain cases, to the fur garments themselves. REFERENCES 3. Caged Fur: The Inside Story , Humane Society of the United States, 1998. 4. Ibid. 5. {Link without Title} 6. International Fur Trade Federation Fast facts. |
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