Fox Skin

Sorry for the resubmission, taxidermy folks! This is originally from my account. I'm relocating so that I don't offend my watchers.
Also, have the ramble about my fur sourcing:

I do consider myself to be an animal lover, and indeed foxes are one of my favourite animals (skunks are best though!). I have always liked animals, and when I was a child I would never have seen myself using fur for anything (though I have always eaten meat). I can see why some people might consider my current attitude to be hypocritical. I have gone out of my way to rescue wild animals, and I always will, if I find any that need help (and yes, that definitely includes foxes, which I very much enjoy seeing in the wild) - but I still will eat meat (especially wild game) and use animal hides. I think it confuses people to know that I once hand-reared a baby rabbit to adulthood, yet I'm quite happy to eat rabbit or wear their fur. It confuses me too, I guess.

I have been studying fashion design for almost 5 years, and I have used leather in some form or other for many of my projects. The use of 'fur animals' is a bit new for me (though I've used sheepskin with the hair on for a few years). I've had some rabbit skins floating around in my collection for a while, and I intend to include a lot of rabbit fur in my new fashion collection. I do my best to source this rabbit fur as a byproduct, and the companies I buy from state that the rabbit fur is a byproduct.

However, the use of other animals, such as fox or mink, is more controversial (I expect there is a cuteness factor involved - and I do find them very cute myself). The reason I have started to think about using these types of furs is because it was recommended to me by one of my tutors that I should enter a fur design contest as part of my portfolio. My immediate reaction was 'NO'. Still, I read the brief to see what it was all about, and I spent a lot of time communicating with the association running the contest to gather as much information as I could about fur production. I have looked at both sides - and they are so directly opposing that it is difficult to make a comfortable decision. The contest is all about using Origin Assured fur, from countries with strict regulations on fur production (I have read these regulations and I feel comfortable with them). I have spent a lot of time reading documents about appropriate euthanasia methods, watching videos (both good and bad) on fur production, and I have reached a conclusion that with the information I currently I have, I feel comfortable using animal products if I have some idea of their origin. I would also be happy to shoot my own wild game, if I had the expertise, which I don't - nor, indeed, is that an easy thing to take up in this country. I believe that I have reached my conclusion with very informed research. I know that some people would not agree with me, and can't understand how I could call myself an animal lover when I am also happy to use animals, but I have made a personal choice that I feel comfortable with, and I will always continue researching it to see if my methods and attitudes ever require updating again.

I thought I needed to get that ramble out of the way - sorry! I just know that some people watch this account who would be surprised by this image. As for this fox, it came from *CabinetCuriosities (thank you very much!). This fox is from Germany, and it is a wild fox. Not the usual sort of fox used in designer fur production, but a beautiful animal nevertheless. This is the first time I've ever touched a fox, and while to some it might be a morbid way to go about it, I found it fascinating.

The bottom two images are a comparison between the size of the fox and my fallow deer pelt, and also the rabbit fur plate (multiple hides sewn together). Also one of my cats (before I saw one for the first time in the wild, I always heard foxes were the same size as cats... well, I don't think that's true, but then again, both of my cats are absolutely tiny!) and my dog, because I can't seem to be able to take pictures without my pets photobombing.

If you are uncomfortable with this image, I apologise. I would certainly be happy to talk more about my reasons behind using animal products if you like. However, I do not appreciate aggressive comments or general shouting, and this is one of the reasons I have actually started to find anti-fur commentary to be lacking in credibility. I do not think it is appropriate to present one's opinion and attempt to change people through intimidation and harrassment, and I don't think anyone has ever been convinced by insults and unpleasant argument.

Right, sorry for the lengthy comment - just wanted to get my thoughts established. Enjoy the picture.