Fur flies as Weir, costume designer targeted by animal rights group for fox fur on outfit

Animal rights group unhappy with Weir wearing fur

Friends of Animals has posted an open letter to Johnny Weir criticizing him for having fox fur on one of his costumes and asking him to stop wearing fur.

The animal advocacy group contacted his costume designer, Stephanie Handler, on Tuesday.

Weir has made no secret of his love of fashion and fur. He redesigned his free skate costume for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, adding a tuft of white fox fur to the left shoulder. Friends of Animals say animals that end up as fur pelts endure extreme cruelty, and the practice “can’t be morally justified.”

Although Weir says he understands the group’s objection, he does not share its point of view.

Weir finished third at the U.S. championships, qualifying for his second Olympic team.