Topshop Leads High Street Charge Against Fur

‘All Our Fur is Fake’ PETA Decal Débuts in Oxford Street Window Display

For Immediate Release:
6 December 2004

Contact:
Andrew Butler 020 7357 9229, ext. 230
Dawn Carr 020 7357 9229, ext. 224

London – Walk along any high street in Britain and you will probably see window displays featuring fur – faux fur that is – but as of today, it will be easier for shoppers to tell what’s what, when Topshop launches a window display at its flagship store on Oxford Street: featuring a giant blow-up of PETA’s “all our fur is fake” window decal and a selection of Topshop’s faux furs. The decal, with the outline of a rabbit set against a lime-green background, will also be prominently displayed on the windows of all 280 Topshop stores nationwide.

“From gilets to tippets, faux fur has never been more fashionable or more readily available”, says PETA Director Dawn Carr. “PETA is making it even easier to get this season’s must-have killer look, but without killing.”

Topshop has always been resolutely fur-free, and the majority of Britain’s clothing retailers already have fur-free policies in place, including H&M, Harvey Nichols, Marks & Spencer, Jigsaw and Monsoon. This year, they have been joined by Zara and Mango, who announced that they will no longer be selling any real fur as of 1 January 2005.

“Our customers know that we will deliver this season’s most exciting trends”, says Topshop Brand Director Jane Shepherdson. “We also want them to know that, no matter what the current fashion, we will never compromise our ethical stand against fur.”

PETA Campaign Coordinator Andrew Butler adds, “Britain is a world leader when it comes to fashion and compassion for animals. We should be proud that we have rid our countryside of fur farms and that our high streets are overwhelmingly fur-free”.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.uk or Topshop.co.uk.

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