Released in 2010, Skin Trade has taken its rightful place as a classic, landmark animal rights documentary. Directed and produced by award-winning director and animal rights attorney Shannon Keith, this powerful film served as a crucial catalyst in animal advocacy history, exposing the deep-seated lies of the fur industry and speaking truth to power.

Before the film’s release, fur was marketed as the ultimate status symbol of luxury and high fashion. Skin Trade shattered that illusion. Through undercover footage, expert analysis, and hundreds of hours of interviews, Keith pulled back the curtain on an industry fueled by horrific violence and deception.

The documentary featured compelling voices—from high-profile activists, environmental attorneys, and notable celebrities including actors Alexandra Paul, James Cromwell, Jorja Fox, and designer Todd Oldham. Together, they exposed how consumers were systematically misled by retailers who falsely promised "humane" practices, while hiding the brutal reality of animals tortured, slaughtered, and often skinned alive. It also uncovered shocking illegal practices, such as real dog fur routinely mislabeled and sold as "faux."

Since its debut, the cultural tide has dramatically turned. Today, fur has been widely rejected across the Western world—no longer viewed as glamorous, but rather as a symbol of boorishness, tastelessness, and unnecessary cruelty. Thanks in large part to the tireless campaigns and courageous activists profiled in Skin Trade, almost every major global fashion house and designer has officially renounced fur.

While the battle against animal exploitation continues—particularly surrounding the environmental toxicity and cruelty inherent to leather—Skin Trade stands as a monumental historical record. It proved that light could be shed on the dark world of "ugly glamour," sparking a global shift that forever changed the relationship between fashion, ethics, and animal welfare.