The battle against the fur trade in the UK is on the verge of victory, but in this industry where are the weak points and where is our focus best made effective?

Every year, the fur industry seems to market its products in a different way; we have seen over the past few years an increase in the sale of trimmed and dyded items in an attempt to distance from the horrific image associated with the full-length garnments condemned by animal rights actions in the 1980's. However, the fur industry has still not yet recovered from those such campaigns twenty years on, with actions continuing against such outlets for trimmed fur goods on a national level and every single department store refusing to stock fur goods, with the exception of Harrods. The straw is close to breaking the camels back, it would seem.

A number of top London furriers, responsible for supplying animal pelts nationwide have admitted that business is poor, however the new means of getting fur back on the high street is through the vintage image, through the false depiction of these items somehow being less cruel due to, upon first glance, being second hand and tied in with 'saving the planet' by re-using second hand items that may have, at one point been destined for the rubbish tip or a dusty attic. However, those same furriers also admitted that there is no such thing as 'vintage fur' and it is merely a marketing concept aimed at reforming the UK fur trade, something for which which the next year it crucial. To put it simply, vintage fur is not old fashioned, but merely based on the style of the clothing opposed to the age and has been documented to be imported from East European countries, China and the USA for sale on the United Kingdom market. If this marketing ploy falls through, so does the industry.

The London furriers send their items to vintage shops and sales nationwide, however gain most of their custom through four outlets without one of which, let alone two or three, this strategy for selling fur would be rendered useless on a national level. Again, if one of these furriers were to go into administration, it would also hinder the industry in the UK on a great scale, however they are not as weak as their external outlets in terms of campaigning as they rely upon other 'hardened' fur sellers, but vintage is their weakpoint. It is most certainly the case that the 'vintage' fur trade is propping up that involved in the sale in bespoke items, such as Joseph, Harrods and others as they both source items from the same furriers. Vintage fur is keeping these furriers afloat, so if they were to close down it would have a large knock-on effect on Joseph, Harrods and others.

So, where are these four key 'battlegrounds' key in the national fight against the vintage fur trade in the UK? Brick Lane, Portobello Road, Petticoat Lane and The Stables Market in Camden; all of which are supplied by London's main furriers and are crucial to their existance.

Details of a new national campaign are to be launched in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled and get involved. Please also keep your focus aimed on your local vintage fur outlets and remember - take out vintage fur, take out the fur trade. It's a simple as that!