Goop Under Fire: Is Gwyneth Paltrow's Brand Still Using Cruel Angora Wool?
Goop, the lifestyle brand owned by Gwyneth Paltrow, is under fire for its continued use of angora wool in its products. Animal rights activists argue that the brand is lagging behind industry standards, as many major brands have discontinued angora due to animal cruelty concerns.
PETA's Campaign Against Goop
PETA, an animal rights organization, has launched a social media campaign to pressure Goop into halting the use of angora wool. The campaign features distressing footage of rabbits screaming and bleeding as their fur is ripped out or shaved off. PETA claims that these rabbits are kept in cramped, miserable conditions and endure this painful process every few months until they die from injury, illness, or trauma.
Goop has not responded to PETA's requests for comment. However, Gwyneth Paltrow was recently seen modeling an angora sweater on her Instagram account. The sweater is currently on sale for $238.50 on the Goop website, down from its original price of $795.
In addition to the angora sweater, Goop also sells a "cloud crewneck" made from a soft, downy angora blend. The crewneck is on sale for $357, down from its original price of $595. While these products may appear fun and chic, PETA claims that the process of harvesting angora wool is horrifying.
Undercover Investigation Reveals Cruelty
PETA conducted an undercover investigation at eight angora wool factory farms in China and gathered footage of rabbits suffering as they are hung from the ceiling by their legs and bleeding profusely from wounds caused by the shaving process. The group claims that the rabbits are kept in miserable, cramped enclosures until it's time for their hair to be shorn or ripped out.
Industry Shift Away from Angora
Most brands have stopped using angora fur since PETA first exposed the grim harvesting practice in 2013. H&M, Acne, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Gucci, Guess, Dolce & Gabbana, and Zara are among the brands that have discontinued angora wool. Exports of angora rabbit wool from China fell from $23 million in 2010 to $4.3 million in 2015.
Goop remains one of the last companies to continue using angora wool. PETA's campaign, titled "From Goop to Gore: Gwyneth's Angora Sweaters Scream," features a cartoon image of Paltrow holding a fistful of bloody fur in one hand and a miserable bunny by the scruff of the neck in the other.
Previous Controversies
This is not the first time Goop has faced controversy. The brand has been accused of having a "toxic" work culture, with employees feeling overworked and underpaid. Gwyneth Paltrow has been described as "erratic" and "childish" by some of her former employees.
