NEW YORK—An undercover investigation found real animal fur being passed off as “faux fur” in two New York Century 21 Department Stores.
The investigation, spearheaded by the Humane Society and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Upper West Side) found through lab tests some jackets had 100 percent raccoon and rabbit fur as lining, but were advertised to have “faux fur,” or fake fur.
“Raccoon dogs, rabbits, mink, and foxes are just some of the millions of animals who are killed by this pitiless industry every year, sometimes even skinned alive,” said the Humane Society in a statement. “With many warm and fashionable alternatives available, there’s no reason to wear animal fur and no reason for Century 21 to sell it!”
Rosenthal and a society staff member question sales staff in several stores in an uploaded video about the so-called faux fur, and are given a range of responses, including “I don’t know,” and “I think this is faux fur.”
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FpCo077YApE#![/video]
“It looks like dyed rabbit fur,” says another sales staff.
“Century 21 does not create garment labels, the manufacturers do,” said a Century 21 spokeswoman. “It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to provide an accurate account of materials used in the garment and to be transparent with the consumer before his or her purchase.”
Rosenthal sponsored legislation that aimed to force manufacturers to clearly label clothing, whether it has fake or real fur, including the type of fur 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,” she said in a statement.
“Store broke law I passed!” she Tweeted.
Pierre Grzybowski, research and enforcement manager of the Humane Society’s fur-free campaign, said consumers should educate themselves about the difference between real and fake fur, according to Crain’s New York.
See a list of the items that allegedly violate the law here.
