A couple who wear real fur clothes say they are more sustainable than vegans, adding that their collection of garments made from a wide variety of animals makes them feel 'classy'.
Fur has always been a highly debated issue, with those against the practice arguing that it promotes animal cruelty while contributing to climate change.
However, Judi Caldwell, 41, and her partner Lukasz Dlubek, 36, from Northern Ireland, claim they're doing more good for the planet by donning real fur clothes than people who follow a plant-based diet.
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Despite the hate they've received online for their unique lifestyle, the couple stick by their opinion and say that those who speak negatively about wearing fur are 'biased'.
As Judi explained, nowadays, there is a lot of 'green washing' and a big emphasis on veganism and vegetarianism.
She continued: "We are trying to promote sustainable fashion by wearing fur, but people are quick to jump online and judge us.
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"The hate we receive from a lot of vegans online is appalling and I’ve even had messages from someone who was threatening to slit mine and my dog’s throat because we wear fur.
"I wear this to honour my granny who was a bit of a fashionista – she was the type of lady who wore stilettos to match her jacket and fur jacket on top – I always thought she looked so classy.
"These vegans like to attack us but don’t think about where their soya comes from or what sacrifices had to be made to get it.
"The garments we wear are more sustainable and we are more respectable than these people because our message is never one of hatred. It is about spreading positivity and networking through fashion."
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Lukasz added: "There is an idea out there that it is unusual for a man to wear fur, but I like it.
"Some people think we are trying to prove that we are of a higher class or show that we have money but that’s not true at all – we are just regular people.
"The public debate on the subject is very biased and the general argument against us is that fur is immoral however we remain and like to see both sides.
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"Fur farming can be and is ethical, to a greater degree. There is a lot of scientific evidence to back this.
"The alternative is the argument of fake fur, which is not even remotely similar.
"They ship this from Bangladesh and China whilst pretending that it is the ethical choice, whereas we source ours locally and support smaller businesses.
"Real fur lasts for so much longer when it’s cared for correctly, whereas fake fur is fast fashion – what do they think happens to all the plastic that is used to make it?"
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Judi continued by saying that some of the haters think she's 'psychologically damaged', adding: "Others try make it about sex or even prostitution yet here’s me wearing mine even to the shopping centre because I think that I look elegant and classy...
"In person, I’ve never received any hate – it is just faceless people online and so-called activists attacking us.
"I only ever receive positive comments when I’m out – people ask to touch it and say I look fabulous."
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The fur-lover concluded by saying: "What is lacking in society is adults not being able to accept that you can have a difference of opinion and still be respectable – it’s scary."
If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via [email protected]
Topics: Vegan, Animal Cruelty, Animals, Climate Change
Daisy Phillipson