Since the world is going through a pandemic disease, and most people, including myself, are having self-quarantine weeks at home, my neighborhoods, family, and friends are mostly spending time with their pets. Even though our family does not have pets, as an animal-loving person, I decided to focus on the issue of animal rights. There are two main activist groups related to this issue in my country South Korea, which is called the Korean Animal Welfare Association(KAWA) and the Korea Association for Animal Protection(KAAP). These groups are very similar to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals(PETA), which is the most well-known organization in the United States. KAWA and KAAP both expose animals suffering in laboratories, in the food industry, in the clothing trade, and in the entertainment industry. They are trying to protect animals by promoting different kinds of events and protests in the country.
Looking at those groups associated with animal rights, I wanted to start my activist movement that mainly focuses on the issue of using real animal fur in the clothing industry. According to the research, every year, more than 50 million animals are killed for the fur, and the fur farmers are using the cheapest and cruelest method to take the fur and kill the animals. Although it may not directly influence people, I want customers to be aware of how animals are suffering to the deaths and even to extinction. The mission statement for this group is to reduce the use of animals and to restrict the kinds of animals used by human beings, especially in the clothing industry; all creatures in pain and suffering have the rights to relief and to be free from it. I know that there are already lots of people taking action for this problem, and many of the clothing brands, even including high-brands, agreed to ban fur and exotic skins from their collections.
I’ve had lots of interest in this area since I was in high school. So I have made this poster before delivering the message in a provocative way in which I used the silhouette of a dead fox as a brand logo targeting the customers who are purchasing real fox fur clothing. I think the easiest and fundamental step for our group is to first make a change in our daily actions by refusing real fur purchase and only shopping at fur-free retailers and designers. Inspired by my previous drawing, as a fashion design major, I want to create a collection of fur-free clothing with a strong impact brand logo that can show how animals are getting mistreated. And eventually, with the profit of my brand’s collection, I would like to contribute the entire amount of earnings to the KAWA and KAAP.
It’s amazing how you incorporated your identity of a fashion designer into protesting for animal rights. It is true that the use of these materials has contributed to the decreasing rate of animal. Although there are brands that stated their decision clear to ban animal fur and skin in their chains of products, there are still many famous and expensive brands continue to pursue the old way undeniably. Thus, there is still a long way to achieve the goal of restoring animal rights. In this case, I think fashion as a part of our life is a great route to approach the public. At the end of the day, it’s always the customers’ responsibility for the existing issue. Thus, it is important that public awareness should be raised.