Sophia Loren Gifted Faux-Fur Coat by Stella McCartney

A special birthday gift is on its way from long-time PETA supporter Stella McCartney to screen icon Sophia Loren who turns 86 on 20 September: a luxurious, cruelty-free coat from McCartney’s new collection.

The coat is made with KOBA, the world’s first bio-based faux fur, created exclusively by ECOPEL.

PETA and McCartney hope to inspire Loren to follow the lead of Italian tastemakers, such as fashion editor Anna Dello Russo, who no longer wear fur. The most influential Italian names in fashion, including Armani, Prada, Versace, Furla, Gucci, and Elisabetta Franchi, have all sworn off fur – an industry which Gucci CEO and President Marco Bizzarri has called outdated.

Fur Is Cruel

Minks, foxes, and others exploited on fur farms are forced to live in cramped, filthy conditions before being tormented and slaughtered for their skin.

Living in packed cages – far from their native homes and with no opportunity to play, jump, run, or do anything else that comes naturally to them – often drives these inquisitive, intelligent animals insane during their short lives. Fighting, self-mutilation, and cannibalism are common on fur farms.

Environmental Hazard

The fur industry doesn’t just put animals through a living hell before tearing off their skin – it’s also detrimental to the planet. A study of mink farms in Europe determined the impact of fur production with regard to 18 different environmental issues – such as the climate crisis, ozone pollution, and water and land use. For 17 of the 18 issues, fur was found to be far more harmful than any other material.

Producing 1 kilogram of fur has a carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) factor of about 130 to 140 kilograms, compared to around 6 to 7 kilograms of CO₂e for 1 kilogram of faux fur.

Breeding Grounds for Disease

Filthy fur farms packed with sick, stressed, and injured minks are a breeding ground for disease, and facilities in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Spain, have seen outbreaks of COVID-19. The situation became so dire that the Dutch Parliament voted to close the country’s last remaining fur farms this year.

Fur farm

Wet market

SARS and the novel coronavirus first infected humans who came into close contact with captive wildlife at live-animal markets – which represent a similar public health risk to that posed by fur farms.

What You Can Do

PETA is appealing to Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to close the 13 remaining mink farms in the country. Will you join us and send him a message, too?

Urge Italy to Ban Fur Farms

Jo-Anne McArthur / #MakeFurHistory