Cruel: Not Cool

As a mother of three Humane Society and Animal Rescue League shelter-adopted furballs, the sight of real animal fur on anything but the living breathing creature itself triggers in me a reflex of nausea. Still, though I believe in their cause, PETA's extremist tactics too closely resemble terrorism and I think they do more harm than good in terms of rallying support.
I'm all about The Humane Society of the United States, who do a great Cool vs. Cruel fashion design competition every year to draw positive attention to compassionate designers who preserve life by going faux. This year Tim Gunn himself was a judge.

First place: Jolie Benner of Portland, OR Second: Nathan Carter of Ft. Lauderdale, FL Third: Julia An of Seattle, WA People's Choice: Stephanie Womack of Dallas, TX

You can check out all the entries here.
(Images: Seventh House PR)

Also on their site they offer a list of retailers and designers who do not use real fur in their designs:
Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, Ann Taylor, Anthropologie, Ashley Paige, Banana Republic, Benjamin Cho, Betsey Johnson, Burton Snowboards, Carhartt, Champs Sports, Charlotte Russe, Club Monaco, Coldwater Creek, Columbia Sportswear Company, Delia's, Dollhouse, Duckie Brown, Eastbay, Eddie Bauer, Eileen Fisher, Esprit, Express, Footaction, Foot Locker, Forever 21, Gant, The Gap, Inc., H&M, Hollister, J, Crew, J, Jill, Jay McCarroll, Katharine Hamnett, Kenneth Cole, Limited Brands, Linda Loudermilk, Lucky Brand Jeans, Madewell, Marc Bouwer, Mountain Hardware, Nicole Miller, Old Navy, Pacific Trail, Patagonia, Paul Frank, Piperlime, Polo Ralph Lauren, PrAna, REI, Richard Chai, RRL, Rugby, Sorel, Stella McCartney, The Talbots, Inc., The Limited, Todd Oldham, Timberland, Topshop, Uniqlo, Urban Outfitters, Vans, Victoria Bartlett/VPL, Victoria's Secret, Zara.

* Calvin Klein , Guess/Marciano, Tommy Hilfiger all swear they will go faux by Spring 2008.

Thanksgiving is a week from Thursday, so if you're feeling thankful for that special natural, rightful fur-owner in your life (past or present!), think about making a donation today.