The move comes after talks with the Bristol-based Western Animal Rights Network, an umbrella organisation for local grassroots animal rights activists in the West of England and South Wales.
The ban covers Blind Lemon Vintage events, including the Bristol Vintage Fashion Fair and shows in Nottingham, Cardiff, Cheltenham and Exeter. Talking to ATG, Mr Dyson said: “A couple of the dealers who sell vintage fur were not happy about the decision as this will affect their winter sales of 1930s, 40s and 50s fur tippets, stoles and coats at my fairs. But now all my stallholders are cool about the decision I’ve made.”
Mr Dyson, who plans to add fairs in Oxford, Cambridge and Brighton to his 2007 programme, bringing a total of 18 annual vintage fashion fairs, added: “This is less of an ethical decision than a business one. I’ve worked very hard to advertise these vintage fashion fairs and it’s important to maximise footfall. I don’t want to run the risk of lost sales and bad publicity as a result of a possible demonstration, particularly at my Bristol Vintage Fashion Fair on Sunday, November 12.”
Fellow vintage fashion fair organiser Matthew Adams, of Frock Me!, said: “At Frock Me! we neither encourage nor discourage the sale of vintage fur... we merely provide a marketplace and it is our task to maintain a good mix of exhibitors and to bring together as wide a variety of styles, genres and periods as possible.”
Sylvia Vetta, who holds vintage fashion fairs in Oxford, said she would not impose her opinions on others.
By Joan Porter
Animal rights pressure leads to fur ban at fairs
VINTAGE fashion fair organiser Edwin Dyson has banned the sale of fur at his events.
