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Fake fur coat faces new, hidden dilemma
(by Timmy Sullivan - January 18, 2012)
SENIORITIS, BY TIMY SULLIVAN
Fake fur coat faces new, hidden dilemma
Please don't throw paint. I know, it looks real. If you read my column regularly, you might even think I've let Ralph out of the closet. But you'd be wrong. The lush and oh-so-warm "raccoon" coat I recently acquired isn't Ralph. It's Son of Ralph, and Son of Ralph is 100 percent acrylic. Nonetheless, I think I'd better explain.
This time last year, I told you about Ralph, the fur coat Ed lovingly gave me for Christmas 35 years ago. Since expensive gifts were not a part of our lives in those days of domestic mayhem, Ed had no reason to know that I was unalterably and passionately opposed to the wearing of fur.
Touched by Ed's generosity and not wanting to spoil the moment, I kept my mouth shut that Christmas morning and even wore the coat for a few months before I just couldn't stand it any longer. As the daffodils began to bloom, I told Ed the truth and relegated Ralph to the back of an upstairs closet, where he remains to this day.
Fast forward to this Dec. 27. Daughter Megan, granddaughter TJ and I headed off to Nordstrom to exchange some gifts and have a little girl time. Everything was going fine until I spotted the rack of Ralphs right by the rear entrance. I couldn't believe it. They looked exactly like him, and yet I was quite sure they were fake. They were fake, weren't they? I felt compelled to take a closer look.
The price tag bolstered my faith that no animals had been harmed to make these beautiful coats, and the fabric tag confirmed it. I had to try one on.
Now I have to admit I've always understood why humans would want to wrap themselves in something as beautiful as animal fur. I've just never understood how they could, knowing the cruelty involved. So I've celebrated all the fun, clearly faux, furs in stores in recent years.
This, however, was different. Could it be that humans could duplicate a real animal's fur? And if so, why would any designer feel the need to use real fur? Could coats like this replace the wearing of real fur once and for all?
As TJ and Megan and I pondered the question, I noticed a large rhinestone pin dangling from the sleeve of the coat. It was shaped like the letters "IM" and had a tag attached reading, "Imposter -- Certified Animal Friendly." On the back of the tag were these words: "Imposter: Giving Animals a Share of the Products They Inspire." Below that was a paragraph explaining that Imposter supports animal charities, including, in this particular case, the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, N.Y., one of my favorites. That sealed the deal. We all agreed -- it was my duty to buy this coat.
When I modeled it for Ed, he looked up and, without missing a beat, said, "Hey, it's Son of Ralph." So the coat had a name and a mission.
The very next day, I shared my excitement about Son of Ralph with a friend, who quickly reminded me that, unless I wore a sandwich board over him proclaiming his fauxness, no one would know he was fake, and the only message I'd be sending is that it's OK to wear fur. Bummer.
So, for now, Son of Ralph has joined Ralph in the closet. I don't know when, or even if, I'll get up the courage to bring him out. But when I do, please don't throw paint. We're on a mission.
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