Twiggy: Shame on fashion designers who use fur

Twiggy has blasted the use of real fur at London Fashion Week, saying designers should be ashamed of themselves.

The 60-year-old model, who fronts the Marks and Spencer advertising campaigns, said that fur used on the catwalk came from animals kept in "inhumane" conditions.

She claimed using 20 foxes or 80 mink to make a single coat was "intolerably cruel", adding: "I am very sad that some designers are still using real fur when the fake alternatives are so effective and so easily obtainable."

Among the designers using real fur, according to fashion experts, are Charlie Le Mindu, Matthew Williamson and Todd Lynn.

Twiggy, real name Lesley Hornby, said that a new report by Animal Defenders International highlighted the plight of tens of thousands of animals used to create fur clothing.

"These poor animals are kept in such terrible and inhumane conditions. Is it really worth this cruelty just for fashion's sake? I don't think so."

ADI chief executive Jan Creamer said: "It's disappointing to see fur making a comeback on the catwalks. At New York Fashion Week several designers featured fur and London is the same. They have chosen to close their eyes to the truth about fur production.

"Customers of designers who use fur will be appalled to discover just how cruelly the animals are treated."