PETA slams Olsen twins as 'Hairy Kate' and 'Trashley'

PETA's 'Meet the Trollsen Twins' website re-imagines Mary-Kate and Ashley olsen as murderous, troll-like creatures. (peta2.com) Animals rights activists are taking action against Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen after the designers released a $16,900 handbag made from patches of fur.

The famous twins are no strangers to the sartorial spotlight - they've become known for their outrageous wardrobe choices in recent years, and their luxury fashion line, The Row, recently won them the 2012 CFDA womenswear designer of the year award.

Many have called the Olsen sisters style icons, but the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) clearly disagrees. 

The animal rights organization has launched a full-fledged campaign against the "Trollsen twins" after the designers unveiled their patchwork fur bag as part of their pre-fall collection for The Row.

"If it looks like a troll and acts like a troll, it's probably a Trollsen Twin - or someone wearing one of their new $16,000 totes, which are made from the fur and skins of innocent animals," reads a statement issued by the group to E!

"What the Olsens lack in creativity, they try to make up for in shock value. Sadly, it's the foxes, calves, and alligators - who often have the fur ripped off them while they are still conscious and able to feel pain - who pay the dearest price."

PETA's "Meet the Trollsen Twins" campaign includes an elaborate microsite featuring trollish likenesses of Mary-Kate and Ashley named "Hairy-Kate" and "Trashley."



Visitors can dress the characters up in bloody fur garments like the "Poodle pelt pashmina" and "bludgeoned bunny beret," or watch a "Full House of Horrors" mashup video featuring scenes from the TV show that launched Mary-Kate and Ashley to fame as children.

"The twins' heartless decision to wear fur and include it in their new fashion line, The Row (more like "Death Row"), is worse than a fashion no-no--it's cruelty to animals," reads the website. "The Trollsens have ignored our pleas to stop wearing fur--and have since added horribly ugly fur items to their new clothing line."

PETA has a long history of using celebrities to leverage their work as an organization, both in a positive and negative light, but never before has a campaign of this scale been launched against an individual (or in this case, two individuals.)

Do you think PETA is going too far with their Mark-Kate and Ashley Olsen slam site?