Burberry $33k Peacock Trench Coat Allegedly Ripped Feathers From Live Birds

The Burberry $33k peacock trench coat is making quite a fashion statement. Unfortunately, the origins of the real peacock feathers used in the $33k trench coat are making a statement that Burberry might otherwise would like to avoid.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, animal tested cosmetics products are banned in Europe. The European Union decided to ban cosmetics with ingredients tested on animals and this ban just kicked in recently. But it is uncertain whether the United States will enact a similar ban since the US is traditionally more hesitant to issue economic regulations. It’s actions like these that give you an idea how countries might view animal rights issues in relation to the $33k peacock feather trench coat.

As part of the spring-summer collection, Burberry’s extravagant peacock feather trench coat is priced at £22,000, or $33k in US dollars. American Vogue editor Anna Wintour was recently spotted wearing the peacock trench coat, and fashion watchers everywhere are envious, saying, “Never mind owning it, I’d give anything to see it. This trench is setting the fashion world on fire.”

This is how Burberry describes the peacock trench coat:

“An artisanal trench coat with iridescent peacock plumage rosettes, crafted using couture techniques. Each feather is hand placed and then stitched into an abstract geometric floral design. The coat is finished with a rich satin collar and heritage-influenced epaulettes, cuff straps and belt.”

Until recently, Burberry used to claim it’s $33k peacock trench coat was “100 per cent farmed golden peacock feathers [from] India.” This claim conflicts with political realities since India has made it illegal to export peacock feathers, which come from a bird that is part of the Hindu religion. In other words, the only way that the peacock feathers illegally came from India is if poachers killed them and ripped out their feathers.

Burberry has since changed its story on the peacock trench coat, saying that a Chinese farm sold the feathers to a New York dealer, who then exported them to India where the feathers were sewn into fabric. The last stop before reaching the fashion catwalks of London was Italy where a company called Zamasport finished the trench coat.

Animal rights advocates point out that in China peacocks are prized for their feathers and meat. Bird farms in China typically keep the animals packed tightly in bamboo cages before ripping the feathers from their bodies while they are alive. Birds are often live-plucked two or three times before they are butchered for their meat.

A spokesman for animal rights charity PETA has condemned Burberry’s $33k peacock feather trench coat, saying, “Anyone with an ounce of compassion should steer clear of these products and opt for any of the many fabulous, humane, synthetic fashions available.”

But it’s possible there’s been overreaction to the $33k peacock trench coat since statistics released by the China Feather and Down Industrial Association paint a brighter picture. Only about three percent of feathers come from live birds; the rest are by-products from the slaughterhouse.

What do you think about Burberry’s $33k peacock feather coat now that you know its history?