Road Kill as “ethical fur” for fashion, but is it?
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The use of Road Kill here is an attempt at using "ethical fur" for fashion. But is it?
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Who wants to wear Road Kill?
Not I, says me.
Metalsmith/jeweler/taxidermist, Lucy Jenkins, has designed gold-plated bangles with fur which is “sourced” from actual road kill.
Former Rabbit
The Road Kill Range attempts to create a new way of wearing ethical fur for aesthetic purposes.
The use of Road Kill here is an attempt at using “ethical fur” for fashion. But is it? Sure, the animal is already dead. But is that the end of the argument? Ultimately, these animals are (accidentally) killed by human action. Perhaps instead of claiming the jewelry is made from “ethical fur,” the artist could have used the opportunity to express and expose the travesty of the very concept of Road Kill. Some may argue that the artist is doing just that by engraving the animal and road name into the bracelet. I would almost concur if the term “ethical fur” had not been used.
“Ethical fur” is no different than buying a leather jacket at the thrift store. They both promote the idea of wearing animal skins. The goal of veganism is to eliminate the use and abuse of all animals on this planet- not to sanction “humane” or “ethical” practices of inducing death for human purposes.
So, who of you would wear Road Kill, and why? Let’s hear your thoughts.
(Thank you to Caroline for the heads up)
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HELLO! I'm KD Angle-Traegner.
Writer, activist, and founder of Four Urban Paws Sanctuary. I’m on a mission to help people live a vegan life. Read more about KD…
Wearing animal prints, faux fur, etc. is not dangerous to animals if the consensus is – YOU DO NOT KILL ANIMALS FOR THEIR SKIN. Foxes, rabbits, minks, etc. continually fall prey to that. But ultimately, it’s not the demand that needs to change (rather the people buying goods), it’s still the realm of production. Consumers, especially those of high fashion will always have an affinity to beauty – one being animal prints or “furs”, so synthetic, or recycled (i.e. thirft store / vintage fur) can be a way to alleviate the tension. As for the production side, people should lobby against all animal fur, FORCING them to ultimately resort to recycled (NOT new fur) because what a waste for all the animals who’ve died already, or synthetic fur, that is faux fur. Trust me, the demand will NEVER go away. It just won’t. It’s a thing of beauty after all.
@YourDailyVegan @charleenangle I’ve skinned a road kill deer b4, I don’t think it’s unethical, but the image of fur fashion IS problematic
@soymilk_gun How did you find the deer? What did you do w/the skin? #justcurious @charleenangle
@YourDailyVegan @charleenangle I was on a multi-day bike ride & came across it on a rural road, I rolled the skin up planning to tan it
@YourDailyVegan also moved the body into the woods to keep wildlife away from the road
@YourDailyVegan @charleenangle it’s not something I would do again though, I leave that to the freegan kids
@soymilk_gun @charleenangle Why not? Was it emotional for you? It would have been for me.
@YourDailyVegan @charleenangle not really emotional, I’m not squeamish are human or animal bodies that I didn’t know, it’s just unneccessary
@YourDailyVegan @charleenangle if it would prevent someone BUYING a piece of leather I would skin the roadkill for them, less harm…
I don’t know… maybe if the profits went to animal shelters or something. I’m not sure I’d always trust that the fur was actually roadkill. There could also be loopholes as to what “roadkill” is. I’d hate to see animals run over on purpose…
People who think fur is important for profit or status, aren’t my kind of people.