Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Do we skip leather once and for all?

Antiseptic does corsets with a Xena touch and if it would be reclaimed leather we could also have a good green conscience. Their creations would surely rock a fluffy, silky multi-layered skirt and will definitely last forever. Romp (UK) is the first company working with organic farmers, using only their leather for their fashion. My inner vegan is upset, but as long as people eat meat why not support the ethical farmers and create awareness by advertising organic leather? It's that Native American motto to use every little bit of the "respectfully killed" animal... I have a bunch of gorgeous leather shoes and boots, some already of an vintage age, restored every year. Too cool to toss but buying new ones, I don't think so, the idea to wear a tortured MC Donald cow on my feet is disturbing.
Companies like Romp make us aware to question where the leather we wear comes from or to loose it once and for all. Romp is honorable in their organic approach but unfortunately they are using fur, sheep skin they say, which eliminates them from my list. Green is a philosophy of life not just a new shopping catalog. Any furry collar on a sexy picture suggests that it is desirable and in fashion. The demand for fur should be stopped not promoted in any way. Rockn Roll brides watch out.

1 comment:

Greg said...

Hi,

Well the inner Vegans, and there were many, will be comforted to know that ROMP is no longer out there.

What that means is no one is highlighting bad practice, and bad animal husbandry.

No existing Designer Brand has been honoured for its work on animal husbandry by the RSPCA.

And No customers can know how their leather was raised.

It doesn't mean the work is over or that we should forget leather or any animal by products so the consumer can forget that there are better systems for raising animals.

Sheepskin is not Fur. It is leather, exactly the same as it is supplied from the abbattoire to the leather trade, but processed so the wool is not removed.

So Leather is Fur if Sheepskin is Fur. You are simply being mis lead by activist messages and because the tannery removed the wool left on the animal during slaughter for meat.

I am also willing to bet that most people have no idea how many meat by products, proteins and fats they use everyday. As they are very very hard to avoid. And I guess until legislation requires labels to include notification of Meat By product use this will not change.

Take wool as an example, just because it is cut off a live animal, it does not mean that that animal was not grown for meat or that it was treated any better. Infact it was treated exactly the same, because its the same animal, in the same place, with the same custodian, only bit early in its lifecycle. And that's it.

Real Vegans do exist, but it takes dedication, knowledge, curiosity, research and strong belief with an acceptance that you will have reduced access to lifestyle products. Personally I admire all people who genuinely follow their beliefs, and seek knowledge to do so, even if I do not share that belief.

So lets agree one thing. If you cannot treat animals correctly and in line with their normal lives and needs, you should not be licenced to raise them or keep them. And that Leather should not be singled out from any animal By product, they all need to be improved or removed depending on your view point.

Greg