To reduce their environmental impact, designers are increasingly turning to eco-friendly fabrics in today’s collections. Faux fur has replaced genuine fur as the preferred cruelty-free option by many of the most prestigious names in the fashion business.Less than one percent of the world’s clothing is made from faux fur textile, the latest iteration of luxury and responsibility. Yet, it hasn’t prevented fake fur from becoming a billion-dollar industry.The market for faux fur is expected to expand by more than 19% by 2024. With its long lifespan, adaptability, and high-end feel, fake fur will continue to be lucrative in textile sourcing for years to come.Nonetheless, the concern about the long-term viability of artificial fur persists. Here, we’ll cover all you need to know about the environmental impact of fake fur.
What is faux fabric
The term “faux fur” refers to a variety of pile fabrics designed to seem like actual animal fur. Faux fabric is made out of synthetic materials including polyester, modacrylic, and acrylic.It’s processed and shaped by manufacturers so that it looks and feels like genuine fur. Fake fur comes in many forms, but some of the most well-liked include imitation rabbit, fox, shearling, sheepskin, and sherpa. Chinchilla, sable, beaver, ermine, marten, lynx, and leopard fake fur materials are some of the other high-end alternatives.The pile on each textile is different in terms of both length and texture. Long pile fake furs, medium pile faux fur, and short pile faux fur5 are all available on the market.These days, it’s hard to tell the difference between fake fur and the genuine thing, what with all the technological advancements.Its cloth is warm, long-lasting, and flexible, yet it doesn’t harm animals. Faux fur is used to create a broad variety of apparel and accessories in the fashion industry, such as coats, jackets, vests, shawls, boots, and handbags.Stuffed animals, cushions, and beddings aren’t the only things that benefit from it being applicable to create fake fur. Despite several washings, the colour stays vibrant and smooth in faux fur. The fake fur may get recycle if you take good care of it. Fabric remnants may get refashion into one-of-a-kind creations.Let’s look at the steps involved in creating fake fur to learn more about it.A brief background of faux fabric
Fur has been around for a very long time, even going back to the time of cavemen, who utilised it to keep themselves warm. It has been a symbol of social status, wealth, and power for those in positions of authority to don fur garments in several cultures.Despite its reputation as a greener alternative to real fur, fake fur did not enter the market in that capacity. But, businesses viewed this as a simple opportunity to increase their bottom line. This was due to the fact that Faux fur allowed commoners to dress like the wealthy at a lower cost.From 1919 through 1928, animal fur goods in the United States were taxed by the federal government at a rate of 10% as part of official policy. Moreover, this boosted interest in fake fur products.Artificial fur was first sold commercially in 1929. Alpaca hair is applicable in earlier efforts at fake fur. Alpacas are a mammal native to South America. Faux fur is being apply since ancient times. Yet it wasn’t until the mid-1950s that acrylic polymers were applicable in lieu of alpaca hair. And the quality of imitation fur was greatly uplift by developments in textile technology. Artificial substitutes for alpaca fur quickly became the norm after their introduction.Faux fur was able to convincingly replicate real fur by the middle of the 20th century. Faux fur flooded the market with a rainbow of hues, whereas genuine animal fur was traditionally only available in black, brown, and white (to match the fur of the animals themselves).Sustainable or not
The protracted discussion continues. Which one is more eco-friendly? Which is better, real fur or fake fur?Given that it can be broken down into simpler components, actual fur is often seen as a renewable resource. Synthetic fibres like those used to make faux fur have a very long breakdown time (up to a thousand years) in the form of acrylics and plastics. Hence, it may cause serious damage to our ecosystem.But, when considering the issue of animal suffering, it is clear that artificial fur is the more sustainable option.Fake fur is more affordable to produce and is available in a wider range of shades than its real fur counterpart. Several well-known fashion houses and designers now make use of high-quality materials. These materials are less harmful to the environment because of technological advancements. Nowadays, eco-friendly substitutes for real fur are used instead, such as bio-based fur, recycled fake fur, and recycled denim fur.Sustainability is a growing concern in the fashion industry today, particularly among eco-conscious millennials.Pros and cons of the faux fabric
Pros
- Cruelty-free One major benefit of wearing synthetic fur is that it puts a stop to the cruel fur trade. By replacing real fur with synthetics, cruelty to animals is prevented entirely.
- Animal furs (such as rabbit fur, fox fur, sable fur, and mink fur) are more costly to create, whereas faux fur has a low production cost. Fake fur is manufactured using synthetic fibres, giving it a more affordable option.
- Enhanced Flexibility in Fabric Use: The adaptability of fake fur is well-known. In contrast to animal fur, it may be manufactured in a wide variety of colours, patterns, and textures.
- It’s simple to keep the plastic fur looking soft and shining for a long time. Apart from being bug-proof, it’s also really simple to clean.
Cons
- Unlike genuine fur, which is biodegradable, the synthetic fibres used to make faux fur do not decompose quickly in landfills. The chemicals that are created when plastics are broken down may also be quite dangerous to human health.
- Faux fur, unlike genuine fur, which can tolerate harsh conditions, has another drawback in that it is not resistant to frost.
- Faux fur may be created to seem like genuine fur, but its coarse texture betrays its artificial origins. Unlike actual fur, which is quite silky, this one has a more gritty feel.
Faux fabric is toxic or not
A greater detrimental effect on the environment is occurring by the synthetic materials. The material that are applicable to create fake fur as opposed to real animal fur.Moreover, microfibers may be released into the water supply during the washing of fake fur garments. Reportedly, synthetic textiles are a significant source of microplastic contamination. On average, washing a synthetic jacket discharged 1,174 milligrammes of microfibers, according to the study1. Animals in the water may be harmed when they mistake microplastic contamination for food.Yet, technological advancements have allowed ethical fashion firms like Ecopel to start making fake fur from sustainable materials. In an effort to mimic the look and feel of actual fur, the business has produced bio-based fibres that are both plant-based and biodegradable.Five fake fur jackets have less of an influence on global warming than one mink fur coat, according to reports provided by environmental specialists at the CE Delft. Seven times as much carbon dioxide is released during the production of a mink fur coat as a synthetic fur coat.Furthermore, synthetics have a less negative effect than other forms of fabric. This results measured by the HIGG material sustainability index, which ranks textiles based on environmental costs of manufacturing. Faux fur coats, for example, may be upcycled into a variety of different products. And synthetic waste can be converted into fuel and industrial gas.Bottom line
It’s easy to see why fake fur is still a popular eco-friendly option in the fashion business. All thanks to its cruelty-free production methods, long lifespan, and high thermal efficiency. Whilst there are valid reasons to be concerned about plastics. This is nevertheless welcome news in the field of environmental sustainability.If you are into the business of textile and clothing and looking for a reliable textile sourcing platform then fabriclore is a must to explore platform for you. With our professional services and tech driven order system, you can make the entire process of textile sourcing easy and hassle free. You can also get custom printed fabric for your designer project with our timeless trendy fabric designs.