Faux Fur or Faux Par?

This essay explores whether society has encouraged the textile industry to use alternatives to animal products, or whether it is the fashion industry who holds the influence over the general public via social media, magazines and celebrities. It presents my findings on what social and political changes had to take place in order to get to where we are today, and what needs to happen for us to develop further. I consider issues such as animal rights and pollution while scrutinising the processes used within the textile industry. I also explore how the sudden growth of the vegan movement is forcing the textile industry to develop and come up with new and innovative ideas in order to meet demand. I make suggestions about what could be done in order to improve our ethical and environmental standards within industry and the general public going forward.