PETA to kill off 30-year-old ‘I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur’ campaign

Celebrities like Eva Mendes and Khloe Kardashian have stripped off for this iconic campaign for decades. But it’s finally coming to an end.

Some of the world’s biggest names have stripped off for one very good cause over the past 30 years.

But now, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is finally killing off its iconic “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” campaign.

The animal rights organisation first launched the eyebrow-raising campaign designed to discourage the use of animal fur in fashion three decades ago in 1990, when rock stars The Go-Go’s posed naked for the first poster, which was then sold at concerts as a PETA fundraiser.

It was such a hit it became a regular series, with a new billboard unveiled each year during New York Fashion Week.

Gillian Anderson stripped off in 2018 …

Over the years, dozens of the most famous men and women on the planet have starred in the worthy campaign, with actresses Pamela Anderson, Eva Mendes, Christina Applegate and Olivia Munn, sports stars like Dennis Rodman, models such as Christy Turlington and singers including P!nk. and Melissa Etheridge just some of the celebrities who have taken part.

The animal-loving celebrities have also spoken out for the cause, with The X Files star Gillian Anderson launching her billboard on International Women’s Day in March 2018 with a powerful message.

“This is my body. It’s mine to do with as I please. And today, I’m using it to stand up for animals and their right to exist as they please — with their skin still attached, naturally,” she said at the time.

As did Eva Mendes in 2007. Picture: AP

“My nakedness also makes a bigger statement. As an actor who is usually unusually modest, suddenly I find myself concerned that modern feminism has too many people confusing sexy with sexist.”

In a statement on the PETA website, the body explained the ads were being retired as fur was all but extinct in fashion, and that the decision would allow energy to be directed towards other more pressing animal rights causes.

“Nearly every top designer has shed fur, California has banned it, Queen Elizabeth II has renounced it, Macy’s is closing its fur salons, and now, the largest fur auction house in North America has filed for bankruptcy,” said PETA senior vice president Dan Mathews, who conceived the “naked” campaign.

TV personality Khloe Kardashian unveils her PETA billboard in 2008 Picture: Charley Gallay/Getty Images

“With fur in a downward spiral, PETA will expand our efforts to expose the violent leather and wool trades.”

PETA confirmed it will continue working to end the use of fur where it still exists, including by luxury fashion brand Canada Goose, which trims its jackets with the fur of wild coyotes which are caught in steel traps, and the “few remaining designers still clinging to animal pelts”.