Never one known for his compassion, Marc Jacobs has been busted for cruelty again. The Humane Society of the United States and New York State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, D-Manhattan, author of New York State’s 2007 fur labeling law, found that popular New York department store, Century 21, sold multiple animal fur garments in violation of state and federal fur labeling laws. The undercover investigation documented that the chain advertised raccoon dog fur as “faux fur” on a Marc Jacobs jacket and sold an unlabeled infant sweater that contained rabbit fur.
Pierre Grzybowski, research and enforcement manager of the fur-free campaign for The HSUS said: “The Humane Society of the United States is releasing these findings during National Consumer Protection Week to warn consumers that animal fur, including from raccoon dogs who may be skinned alive in China, is being sold unlabeled or as faux fur. Consumers can protect themselves and animals by learning how to tell real fur from fake fur, and urging retailers like Century 21 to go fur-free.”
In September 2012, HSUS investigators purchased three Marc by Marc Jacobs jackets online from Century 21, where they were advertised as having “faux fur” trim. Upon delivery all three jacket labels indicated “real raccoon fur” from China and laboratory testing of one jacket indicated it was actually raccoon dog.
Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal said: “In 2007, I passed legislation to require all apparel with real or fake fur to be labeled as real or fake, so that shoppers could have easy access to this important product information. My constituents and the people of this state thought that this law was a necessary complement to existing, but rarely enforced, federal regulations requiring that fur garments contain a description of the kind of fur used and the country of origin. Many people want to avoid wearing fur at all, and for them, knowing whether the garment they are about to purchase is made with real or faux fur is just as important a factor in determining whether to buy it as is the price.”
In January 2013, HSUS investigators, accompanied by Assemblymember Rosenthal, purchased five different animal fur-trimmed jackets inside two Century 21 stores in New York City. Two of the jackets, one unlabeled and one “JNBY” brand jacket with “faux fur” on the hangtag, were purchased in the Lincoln Square location, which is within Rosenthal’s legislative district; the other three were purchased at a separate Century 21 location. In 2011, prior to the grand opening of the Century 21 location, Assemblymember Rosenthal wrote the retailer to notify it of its duties under the law she passed, and to request that it comply or go fur-free altogether.
Undercover footage shows Century 21 salespeople unable to find any fur labeling on garments, and in some cases indicating that they thought the unlabeled fur was fake, when in fact it was animal fur. Under the federal Fur Products Labeling Act, all garments trimmed with animal fur must give the name of the animal and the country in which the animal was killed. It is a violation of federal law to misidentify the species of animal fur used in wearing apparel.
If an ounce of media were given to exactly how these items were procured (anal electrocution, skinning while alive, agonizing traps, etc) nobody worth their weight in humanity would be caught dead in fur. And yet thousands of people applaud Marc Jacobs shows. Marc Jacobs is nothing but a bully to animals, and an animal abuser. If you sell and promote fur, you are implicit in the abuse. Period. You may as well have gutted hundreds of thousands of animals alive with your bare hands, Jacobs.
Regardless of this investigation, Jacobs showed a veritable animal shelter slaughter full of furs in his recent couture show. Jacobs is not one known for his compassion levels, but we presume the fashion industry will take little pity on him as his hipster image ages fast. We think it’s time Jacobs got with the humane picture and went fur free like many other designers before him. It’s time.
For a copy of the complete investigative report, including photos of the purchased items and undercover footage, visit, http://www.humanesociety.org/
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Tags: faux fur, fur, Linda B. Rosenthal, Marc Jacobs, marc jacobs animal abuser, vegan fur
I love this freaking website so much. Always badass and always on point! Thank you GGA!!
I am sure this will mean the end of his fashion line. He has duped the public and that does not bode well for his future success.
Err… I get the outrage, but “raccoon dog” is as much dog fur as fox or coyote is. Your article makes it sound like he’s over there skinning poodles. Century 21 ought to be shut down for continuing to falsely sell real fur as faux.
Also who are the many designers who’ve shunned fur? Can anyone name a few? Would love to know.
Oops I replied below!
Oh Doofus…
That’s the kind of rationale nazis and slave owners have.. oh, they are only blacks or jews.. not people. Animals are animals. Does it make it more okay to skin a poodle than a fox? Why? You need to do some deep soul searching – then watch a documentary called “The Witness” asap. And yes, thousands of designers are anti fur. Here’s a list: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/fur_fashion/tips/fur-free_shopping.html
I know Marc Bouwer uses NO animals- fur or leather in his clothing line. Don’t believe he ever has. He has an affordable line on QVC.
Stella McCartney?
Vivienne Westwood, Calvin Klein, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren, Betsey Johnson, Tommy Hilfiger, to name a few!
Yes, those designers are against skin animals, but they
are PRO slaving childs in China and India. whats worse?
There’s another option – buying ALL fairly made eco organic.. and vegan. Those items exist. Those designers exist. I find out about them regularly on this here site.
Furs are for the animals – not US !!
Um, “raccoon dog” is simply a “raccoon” in China. This is not “dog fur” (even though, yes, it’s animal fur, for those who are exorcised about that.)
But congrats on hyping the story with the word “dog”!
Congrats on being a speciesist ignoramus, Stephan! Dog = raccoon = pig = monkey = cat = human…
A raccoon dog, aka Tanuki, is a member of the canid family. It is not a raccoon as you state.
Oooh it’s only racoons they’re torturing and skinning! Phew I was almost worried because raccoons dont have feeling or nerve endings like canines do
I cannot believe the inhumane and heartless people who do these things to poor animals. Sad!
this designer/company should be ASHAMED!! Using DOG FUR????? PEOPLE OPEN YOUR MOUTHS AND PROTEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
its bad enough killing wildlife, now you going to kill dogs??? whats next? doess anyone realize how these animals are killed? they are electrocuted through ANUS.
THIS HAS TO STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OH wait would that be the Marc jacobs who made tshirts for dogs that said “I BARK FOR OBAMA” oh yes..it is..
Whether dog, or any other animal – fur for fashion is just wrong. It is a statement of extreme pain, terror, and death. For those who think that fur is so wonderful – see the pictures and films of what really happens to the animals – their lives, their deaths, and yes, being skinned alive. With all the plant and synthetic fibers we have today, fur is unnecessary.
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Not to belabor the point, but misleading article titles do more harm than good! Let’s not be the side with egg on its face! Racoon dog is a canine but not a dog. Does that mean that they deserve to die or be tortured any more than a dog? No!! But let’s not give anyone any fodder to say that we mislead people for animal rights – then they will question all the truth that is out there! It’s embarrassing! But yes this is terrible especially because the company is deceiving people who are trying to do the right thing and buy faux. Ps , I adore rabbit fur! It looks so stylish on my rabbits (where it belongs!)