Feb08
So, we went into Donna Karan’s house yesterday and …
Posted at 01:44 PM | Permalink
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Comments (41)
We’ve been trying to get designer Donna Karan to watch some footage of exactly what happens to the animals killed for her fur coats for a long time now—and yesterday, a brave PETA member who was up in New York for fashion week made sure that happened, with a little help from some soy lattes: Dressed to the nines and carrying a tray of coffees, she marched up to Donna Karan’s apartment and was welcomed inside without any questions, and offered a seat in the living room. When Donna Karan returned home, my friend pulled out the mini DVD player she had in her bag and cued up the fur farm footage, prompting the following exchange:
DK: I can't watch this now. I have somewhere to be . . . I just really don't have the time.
PETA: Yes, but you’ve promised twice that you would stop using fur and you keep bringing it back. Everyone’s so disappointed. You have to know that this isn’t right.
DK: I've seen all these videos, but for me it's just purses and accessories.
PETA: But for me and millions of other people, these are animals. They suffer terribly as they are electrocuted, gassed and skinned alive for their pelts.
…and so on, until Donna decided enough was enough and escorted my friend out of the house. Pissed off as she was, hopefully this has at least planted the seed in her head that it’s time to stop supporting the horrific abuses of the fur industry. But if that doesn’t work, we’ve got a few more tricks up our sleeve:
The New York Post featured this story on their front page today. You can read their coverage here.
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Comments
Admiring the courage of this Peta-member i just say the following: i hope that this heart- and brainless woman was touched by the message which PETA brought to her in this powerfully organized action! Thousand thanks to everybody involved!
Posted by: claudia marrapodi | February 8, 2008 03:11 PM
bunnys are adorable! why do they wear them as fur!!!
there are people around me right now wearing fur, i hope they go to hell.
they wont listen to me about the animals suffering...poor animals
Posted by: Amber Falobas | February 8, 2008 03:11 PM
How strange that whomever was in the apartment while Donna was away would invite in a stranger just because that person brought lattes! While this visitor clearly wasn't armed or there to do harm, it is just weird that a high profile designer would have an unsecure home and someone in her home who invites unexpected strangers in!
Posted by: Ashes | February 8, 2008 03:29 PM
Its very sad to have a human being say that animals are nothing but purses and accessories. It is an insult to humanity.
Posted by: Jaclyn | February 8, 2008 03:56 PM
Whomever you are, thanks for the courage and integrity. The other animals need more people like you to fight for their lives. Karan is a cruel fool.
Posted by: Ana | February 8, 2008 04:21 PM
What an unbelievable bitch!
Posted by: Karen | February 8, 2008 04:35 PM
Wow, that is freaking awesome. Great job, guys!
Posted by: Canaduck | February 8, 2008 04:47 PM
Ashes, it is very strange that in the midst of a discussion about how Donna Karan's business is causing horrific abuse to animals, you are pondering why someone let the protester in to the apartment.
Do you think it's okay to kill animals for fur??
Posted by: Michele | February 8, 2008 05:11 PM
Yes it is okay to kill animals for food. Do we grieve when a bald eagle kills a duck to feed its young? or when a killer whale eats a seal? Get over it and realize that people who don't have a job or go to college are the only ones foolish enough to blindly follow your order. Sincerely, A tofu, sushi and cheeseburger eater
Posted by: bill prieto | February 8, 2008 07:02 PM
The fur videos are hideous. They make me cry and throw up, but I don't fight them because I know thay are true, I stopped buying fur a long time ago. I'm particularly sensitive to rabbits because I have one, and to tell you the truth she's my best friend on the good days, and my only friend on the bad days. This really es me off. How could anyone kill a rabbit? They are so cute and have such bubbly personalities. For purses and accessories -that makes me sick.
Posted by: LuLu | February 8, 2008 09:28 PM
Donna, I have always admired you as a smart businesswoman and fashion leader.
But they are "only purses and accessories?"
Please don't isolate yourself from the real world. Fashion is the world of illusion, but when there is pain and suffering involved the real world is affected.
Please don't shut off your humanity.
Posted by: kelly | February 8, 2008 10:33 PM
Way to go Peta person! I don't understand how people can be so removed from the suffering of living creatures and willingly contribute to it. Fortunately, just when I start to lose faith in the human race, a peta member gets into Karan's apartment :)
And Bill, we kill animals a tad differently than a bald eagle does, and at least in the wild they have a chance. What does that have to do with fur anyway?
Sincerely,
Someone who has a job and goes to college.
Posted by: HH | February 9, 2008 01:00 AM
You can't be serious,bill,to compare humans killing rabbits for purses to eagles, ducks and whales killing for survival. And you have the choice between tofu, sushi,or cheeseburgers, they don't. Have a little respect.
Posted by: lynda downie | February 9, 2008 01:32 AM
I can only say I feel disgusted by her comment. Obviously like many of her keen (successful rich people) she cares for nothing but her capital. Shame on you Donna!
Posted by: Tom - Israel | February 9, 2008 06:59 AM
1) Holding a "dead bunny" was not necessary. Just disgusting and traumatizing especially for young kids walking by and especially when you are trying to inform the public about an evil designer (its just not relevant, especially when you already have a graphic poster.) This is why people do not like PETA and don't take them seriously.
2) Bill Prieto, you're an idiot. This post is about fur not food fucknut. So read the WHOLE thing, don't just skim it over like you're narrow anti-fur, anti-vegetarian mind does. It's hard for people to take you seriously when you don't even take the time to read the post your commenting on.
3) Michele, it is not strange to ponder why she let in a stranger. It's actually very fucking weird and having said this has nothing to do with not caring that she's using fur and wont watch a video.
4) People have a mental defense mechanism when it comes to protecting themselves from harm or misery. Donna Karan is one of them. She will not look at your anti-fur posters and the more you put them up, the more her mind will revolt. It is sad and unfortunate but true. It is a defense in a lot of us and sometimes only fuels the ones who we are trying to change. Why not try showing her the BEAUTY of a rabbit instead? Empathy and compassion are strong...love is strong and if she were to interact with a real rabbit I think this would be much more effective.
<3 Peace and love. -Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | February 9, 2008 09:05 AM
Bunnies aren't real people are they? Aren't we supposed to be using them for personal gain?
Posted by: William | February 9, 2008 11:06 AM
Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, etc. They ARE isolated from the "real world". Think not? Ever watch "Project Runway?" It's fun, sometimes, but it's also a freak show. THEIR world is made up of the most illusory of illusions - fashion. Everyone around them lives in some airy-fairy dream world where the only "value" is what's next and whose who. They are all but TOTALLY irrelevant to anyone but social butterflies, celebrities and bored, rich people. That there are a few designers who have decided to have a little heart and humanity and do away with fur, though, means that there's always hope that the others will come around, IF, and only if, the consumers demand it. And, of course, there are some leaders, even in their world, like Stella McCartney. Keep up the good work, PETA! A bunny's life, a fox's life, a mink's life is worth ten tons of fur coats!
Posted by: Susannah S | February 9, 2008 12:30 PM
Wow, this is so cool. She's silly to let random people into her house though.
Oh well hope it got the message through.
I will never understand why people use real fur from a animal that feels the same as us when fake fur looks just the same.
xxx
Posted by: Claudia | February 9, 2008 12:37 PM
DK has a lovely Chocolate Lab, how would she feel if he were "just purses and accessories"?
Posted by: Donna's Neighbor | February 9, 2008 01:25 PM
Ana, I agree. How cool that she was able to walk right in and call her out! ;)
Kelly, I agree and it's funny, my friend and I were just discussing this, that people who seem so nice and talented are sometimes so terrible and ignorant about animal cruelty. Isn't it disappointing?
Luckily the world of fashion depends on followers, and the more people learn, the more likely they are to change.
Blessings to Ana and Kelly!
Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | February 9, 2008 02:06 PM
I just love the signs, ARAN based here in Ireland held a huge Ban Fur Farming in Ireland protest last week, it went great and tons of media coverage to help the campaign!
Posted by: John Carmody | February 9, 2008 02:51 PM
Wow Donna, I actually feel really let down... Someone who seemed so smart, and savy, says something so obscene as its only purses and accessories? wheres the heart? Give your head a shake lady!
Posted by: Jess | February 9, 2008 03:11 PM
Perhaps you could post her address/phone number for us to make polite communication with?
Posted by: Aran | February 9, 2008 03:34 PM
Bill Prieto,
Unlike other animals, we humans have choices and we are capable of deciding what actions to take based upon morality. We can choose plant foods over consuming animal bodies (flesh) and their secretions (milk, eggs). Considering the fact that we can be healthy on a totally plant-based (vegan) diet, any cruelty and killing we inflict upon animals to eat is unnecessary. Nonhuman animals eat to survive. They don't live in civilization and have no other choice. Carnivorous animals like cats must eat other animals to obtain all the nutrients they need to survive. We don't. The animal rights position when it comes to animals in the wild is "Let them be!" as Tom Regan wrote in his 1983 book "The Case for Animal Rights." It is unjust to interfere in their lives and attempt to dominate and control them through domestication and state-controlled "wildlife management" programs. Humans have taken themselves out of the natural world through industrial civilization, therefore we cannot accurately compare humans to other animals.
Posted by: Brandon Becker | February 9, 2008 05:47 PM
She really should die. Only horrid people think like that. "They're only purses". She probably lied about watching the videos, also.
Where did you get the dead bunny you are waving around in the photos? Hopefully it wasn't killed for the protest. That would be a pot calling a kettle black, wouldn't it?
And, a note about "Bill Preito's" comment;
you have not watched "meet your meat". You disgust me if you think torturing animals for food is okay. Heart disease does not taste good.
Posted by: Lauren Hazel | February 9, 2008 06:07 PM
Donna Karan and all the other who uses fur just makes me sick.
Posted by: cristina | February 9, 2008 08:19 PM
Good work PETA!!! I will never ever buy anything DONNA sells. I also will make sure none of my family and friends don't either. She is a selfish woman. I hope her business goes under.
Posted by: Dawn | February 9, 2008 11:18 PM
This is in response to the post left by Bill Prieto--
Bill, comparing the use of fur for fashion to animals surviving in the wild and the natural food chain is just asinine. They are not even the same thing - do you think we eat fur coats for survival?? Hello? No - so your comparison is both ridiculous and inaccurate. But let me give you a little update - it's 2008! We don't need real animal fur to keep warm anymore! Have you noticed? So why??? It is 100% UNNECESSARY TO USE FUR FOR CLOTHING! There is absolutely not one justifiable reason to use real fur! And if you think that hunters are killing these animals for food and that the fashion industry just asks for the left overs to make their goods-- WAKE UP!! At least have the sense to educate yourself on the topic before making ignorant remarks. I challenge you to explain your weak analogy. Please explain to all of us how the NATURAL FOOD CHAIN IN THE WILD HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH ELECTROCUTING 1000'S OF ANIMALS FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF FASHION. I DARE YOU.
Posted by: jennifer | February 10, 2008 04:23 AM
Michele - Nature's food chain has nothing to do with this. Wild animals don't torture or mass-produce their food like humans do. They also don't skin other animals alive and wear their fur like a trophy.
There is a major difference between killing one animal and factory farming.
Posted by: Jen | February 10, 2008 08:43 AM
Jen, I think you meant to address "Bill" on his oh-so-narrow-minded comments (the person's name appears below their comments), and you are absolutely right in your response. Eagles don't skin other animals alive to dress up...
Posted by: Michele | February 10, 2008 01:35 PM
I love Peta and the people that are involved in helping protect innocent animals. I live in Tahoe and always comment on peoples fur. They think they look good in the mountains at the fancy ski resort in their fur, but they look like ignorant asses out of their element. I don't know any locals that would ever wear fur. Figure it out people.
Posted by: Sky Rondenet | February 10, 2008 10:33 PM
William, you wrote: "Bunnies aren't real people are they? Aren't we supposed to be using them for personal gain?"
No, William, bunnies are not "real" people. However, they are "real", sentient, innocent and helpless creature who are in need of our "real" protection. Their suffering is "real" as well as completely unnecessary.
Are YOU "real" people? You believe that animals are here for our "gain"?
I won't give you too much attention because you are most likely a Consumer Freedom "plant." Not a "real" plant like "real" and caring vegans eat, though.
Posted by: Corndog | February 10, 2008 11:33 PM
Michele, the article made a point about how the protestor gained access easily just by bringing lattes. So don't try to read anything into my post just because it wasn't what you were thinking. I have no problem with showing Donna Karan videos if she's willing to watch, but it sounds like she really didn't pay attention.
Lauren, as for your comment that Donna Karan should die, that is a contradiction if ever I heard one. How can you jump from "it's bad to harm and kill animals" to "I wish harm and death upon a human"? If life is precious, and it is, shouldn't you wish for education and change, not death, for those who don't agree with you?
Posted by: Ashes | February 11, 2008 10:32 AM
Ashes, you still have not answered my question from February 8th: "Do you think it's okay to kill animals for fur??"
Posted by: Michele | February 11, 2008 11:19 AM
NOT ONLY DK,LOOK AT JLO.ALWAYS WEARING FUR THAT BITCH.
Posted by: marjorie | February 11, 2008 11:35 AM
I own a few things made by DK, but none of them involve fur. I'm sure a lot of people who buy her stuff don't buy fur or even know that she uses fur. I live in a large, cold city, and I don't see people wearing real furs around. They would be pretty obvious if they did! I guess people like J.Lo. keep the industry alive? Who actually buys furs? How can DK think that she needs to sell them to make a profit?
Posted by: Libby | February 11, 2008 05:15 PM
Someone should dognap her choc lab and pretend that he has been sold to the fur trade, and that it is probable he will be skinned alive. Let her mentally scream and cry in pain like all those who suffer physically, she is a sick f**k
Posted by: Djinn | February 11, 2008 06:13 PM
Wow, amber..."I hope they all go to hell" ...I just kinda visited this siteto see out of curiosity and you showed me why people don't like you. I guess insted of thrying to educate people on why PETA is good, you just wish them all to hell.. Yeah, great job
Posted by: Kevin | February 11, 2008 07:09 PM
How about FUDK - in other words Fuck U Donna Karan? Wont be buying clothes from this bitch any more.
Posted by: Chris Hoar | February 11, 2008 11:26 PM
Lauren
...you're joking, right?
Posted by: NutMeg | February 12, 2008 12:56 AM
Daniel, you're right - we should just applaud Donna Karan for her "careful" creativity (whatever the fuck that is!), and forget about the animals that were tortured for this so-called creativity...
Posted by: Michele | February 20, 2008 11:34 PM