Liz Hurley has sparked controversy for signing up as the face of US fur company Blackglama, who claim to produce “the world’s finest natural ranch-raised mink”.
“Her wardrobe is now as dead as her film career,” snipes People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) spokesman Robbie LeBlanc.
Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall and Bette Davis are among the previous faces of Blackglama, known for its “What becomes a legend most?” slogan. It’s reported that Liz’s ad deal will see her earn over $700,000.
“It’s shocking that she’s taking money to wear baby minks, who are skinned at six months old, for Liz’s luxuries,” says the PETA rep.
Liz has already had a run-in with animal rights activists. Things got hairy when Liz attended a Hollywood in 2001 dressed in white fur. A campaigner threw red wine on the garment, and yelled “You murdering b—h!”
When Gisele Bundchen signed a similar deal with Blackglama in 2002, protestors pounced upon the supermodel while she was on the catwalk, displaying the slogan “Gisele: fur scum”.
But, as PETA would have it, a model’s inconvenience pales in comparison to what the animals experience.
“Millions of animals are electrocuted and skinned alive, suffering terribly for the production of fur,” says LeBlanc.
“With so many fantastic faux furs available there is no excuse for the wearing of real fur.”