Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Howells Fur Advert 1973


Check out this abomination - it's a Howells real fur advert from 1973. Cardiffians will note that the fashion shoot took place at the Hayes Island Snack Bar - a cheap open-air cafe in the city centre where you can drink industrial strength coffee out of styrofoam cups. The appropriation of a working-class space to flaunt and flog luxury goods just makes the ad that little bit more stomach churning. Such advertisements were more socially acceptable back then but public opinion about the wearing of real fur was beginning to change. In 1987 Howells and other Cardiff department stores who sold non-synthetic fur coats were targeted by the Animal Liberation Front.