Fur flies over J Lo

If the protests embarrassed her, she hid the discomfort behind a professional smile and a friendly wave.

Pausing on the red carpet at the launch of her new album, Jennifer Lopez posed for the cameras in a poncho lined with fox fur - despite being surrounded by a sea of howling antifur campaigners.

The singer, famous for her ostentatious style, has been targeted by animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals after her new fashion line, Sweetface, showcased clothes featuring fox, rabbit and mink. Around 100 members of Peta turned up as J Lo unveiled her album Rebirth in New York.

They brandished placards calling her 'fur scum', screamed abuse and handed out DVDs featuring Miss Lopez in her fur interspersed with images of animals being skinned.

'She is our latest target,' said Dawn Carr, a UK director of the group.

'We have sent her dozens of letters and DVDs to try to show her why the fur trade is so evil but she has ignored us.

'The amount of fur J Lo has worn recently, and now uses in her clothing line, shows she is blind to the horrific cruelty of the fur industry.'

The group said the protest was the first step in a campaign directed at the 35-year-old singer, rumoured to be pregnant with her first child.

A Peta website appeals to fans to write to Miss Lopez.

The issue has become huge in recent months as a host of major designers featured fur in their autumn/winter collections.

Last month, Elizabeth Jagger drew protests when she wore a fox stole during London Fashion Week.

Others who have been targeted by Peta include designer Donatella Versace and the British editor of American Vogue, Anna Win-tour. Ten years ago, the group appeared to be winning the battle against fur and attracted a string of major names.

But since then several models who once endorsed Peta's campaign, including Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss, have all gone back to wearing fur.