Stolen skins? fur in fashion
3 November 2000 to 21 January 2001

With fur garments and handbags back in fashion this winter, the Museum of London presents a new Capital concerns display looking at both sides of this emotive and controversial subject.

Today, over half the world’s trade in fur is controlled by commodity brokers based in London. Yet the Government plans to ban fur farming in Britain on the grounds that it offends public morality. Does this represent the views of Londoners? Here is a chance to look at the arguments and decide for yourself.

Fur is often associated with wealth and glamour. A gold lamé 1920s evening coat with an arctic fox collar (shown here) illustrates its luxury status and sensuous appeal. However there have been reservations about wearing fur for as long as it has been fashionable. Pamphlets and books protesting about the cruelty of the fur trade and the wearing of fur from as far back as 1892 are on show.

Would you wear real fur? Does wearing fake fur elevate the status of the real thing, or provide a conscientious alternative for an environmentally aware society?

Come and share your views in our survey about the use of fur in fashion.