They are the Manolo Blahnik Cava Fur Trim boot.
It's not bad enough that they are ugly and make you look like something out of 1 Million Years B.C. (and not in a good way like Raquel here).
No, the worst part is that the fur element, which is bad enough, is ocelot fur.
Ocelots are endangered species.*
Endangered because of loss of habitat and due to hunting them for their fur. Supposedly they are legally protected. I'm not sure how the Manolo Blahnik company was able to get fur for these boots.
I know I talk a lot about shoes on here most of which are made of leather. This is a transition I am personally working through.
But I put fur on another level altogether. And the fact that this fur comes from a threatened species just makes it all the worse.
I have written a letter to Manolo Blahnik via the contact form on their site addressing my displeasure and disgust at this practice. I also think I will be taking an additional step.
I will be boycotting Manolo Blahnik.
I hope I get some sort of response from the company. I'm not sure if I will or not. I suggested they recall the boots. Will they? I don't know. I'd like to hope so.
I'll let you know what they say.
If you want to write to them, the easiest way is to use the contact form on the site. Let's see if we can reach them!
UPDATE: Ocelots are officially listed as "Near Threatened" with their population trend as "Decreasing" by the IUCN Red List. However, the use of this animal's skin and fur could potentially still violate the Endangered Species Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. It is being looked at by a lawyer, so more info to come.
