Rethinking sexy

As faithful readers of the Indiana Daily Student, we’re familiar with Gabrijel Gelic’s usually witty fashion column.  But this week’s “Animal Heaven” was surely hell for animals.

As usual, Mr. Gelic encouraged IU students to “stay classy,” and implored us to “look like (we) just came off the runway” by going fur-crazy.

Yes, he assures us, we will all be extremely fashionable in anything with a dead animal attached to it. The style-writer passionately proclaims, “you can’t go wrong with fur.”

We’re here to tell him that you always go wrong with fur.

Is it us, or has Mr. Gelic somehow missed the obvious fact that fur is cruel and totally unnecessary in 2008? When he writes that “the fall Gucci collection screams fur,” his analogy smacks of a very bad pun.

Indeed, the animals are screaming and there is nothing sexy about the truth. Here is a real recipe for one of Mr. Gelic’s “glamorous jackets”:

Step One: First, trap a mink, rabbit or other lovely creature. Then cage it. Watch as your future “accessory” becomes so crazed from confinement that she turns endlessly in circles and mutilates herself in frantic despair.

Step Two: Choose a method for securing that “one of a kind” coat without damaging the valuable pelt! Got an electric probe? Great! Simply insert the probe into the anus or vagina of your furry friend and fry her inside-out. Short on probes? Just beat or club the wearer of your garment to death.

Step Three: Brace yourself. If step two has failed, your little pal may still be fully conscious of her pain as you skin her. But who cares? Whose clothing is this anyway?

Step Four: Flaunt your style. You look so much better in that luscious fur than your friend ever did!

Mr. Gelic, do you think we’re exaggerating the horrors of stealing an animal’s skin? Think again. The sadistic steps outlined above are well-documented procedures of the fur industry, both here and abroad.

Moreover, fur is often mislabeled.

Regardless of what designers tell consumers, fur products from nations as diverse as China or Switzerland are often actually made out of cats and dogs!

Let’s get this straight: Fur is never humane, never ethical and never fashionable.

Still find dead animals glamorous? As Kara Kendall, a fellow RAW  officer, notes: “Fur is beautiful, so I understand its aesthetic appeal, but there’s nothing beautiful about how it’s produced.”

Chris Lynch, one of the founders of the Deep Roots Animal Sanctuary, aptly “challenge(s) anyone to watch 15 minutes of footage from inside the fur industry and (say) that it’s sexy.”

What is really hot this season? Fashion that recognizes the beauty of compassion.

Mr. Gelic, please join the many renowned style icons, like Stella McCartney, Betsey Johnson, Marc Bouwer, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Nicole Miller, who have pledged to go fur-free.

Many substitutes for fur can keep IU warm and stylish.

If you believe that compassion RAWks and want to advocate for baby harp seals caught in the fur trade, please visit www.indiana.edu/~iuraw/upcoming/#sealed.