November 2019 • We Are Fur

The Future is AI: Fashion in an age of technology

November 29, 2019

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used in almost every industry in the world, from healthcare and Education to Public Relations and Marketing, so it was only a matter of time until AI became an integral component of the fashion industry too. A study conducted by the Capgemini Research Institute found 28% of retailers (almost one-third) were using AI, a significant increase from 17 percent in 2017, and 4% in 2016. Capgemini then predicted that AI could save retailers as much as three hundred billion dollars in...

Wonder what it’s like to work for one of the most controversial industries? Three colleagues spill all on working with natural fur.

November 27, 2019

Three employees including a vegetarian get together to chat about their thoughts on the industry prior to working at IFF, what they’ve learnt since, and the future.

Animal Activists Versus Freedom of Choice – Where do we draw the line between the two?

November 26, 2019

It is widely published when celebrities, as well as non-celebrities, hit-back against animal activists who have bullied or been pugnacious towards them over their choice to consume animal-based products – whether that’s eating meat, wearing natural materials, or using cosmetics containing animal products. Freedom of choice, as defined by Longman, is: the right or ability to choose whatever you want to do or have, however, increasingly, we are seeing freedom of choice being restricted by those who perceive consumption of animal deriving products as ‘wrong,’...

Fur Today, Leather Tomorrow? Fashion’s Unnatural Selection

November 22, 2019

It’s an indisputable fact that sales of luxury fur and leather products have been increasing year on year. But, while economics may highlight the appetite for luxury goods made of natural fabrics are on the rise, the lexicon is that economics aren’t always an accurate representation of societal attitudes. A recent study conducted by Morning Consult, comprised of a survey of 2,000 British and American residents about their opinion on natural leather, concluded that consumers negative attitudes towards natural leather were on the rise, mirroring...

Fur Futures Profile – Hilde Lillegård

November 14, 2019

Here at the International Fur Federation, we are committed to supporting the entire fur trade. This is why we were delighted to sponsor Hilde Lillegård to visit the biggest fur auction house in the world, Kopenhagen Fur. Here is Hilde's experience... First, I want to thank you to IFF for allowing me to visit Kopenhagen Fur, I had an amazing stay! Out trip started with an interesting guided tour at Kopenhagen Fur facilities. I was immediately impressed with how huge and nice the grading department...

Does fur have a place in fashion? Chit chat with Derek Warburton

November 13, 2019

Over-the-phone laughs with the one and only, Derek Warburton. We talk about our love of fur, Derek's show 'All Access', fashion weeks, current trends, change in fashion, personal choice and living your life! Make sure to tune in to listen to our fun chat on the above and much more.

Is it too Late for Ethical and Sustainable Fashion?

November 8, 2019

Since “ethical” and “sustainable” fashion became integral components of fashion brands’ sustainability strategies, a string of recycled mostly beige linen garments photographed against a backdrop of environmental hashtags have become a staple of nearly all high street and high fashion brands. At first glance, one might view this as a step towards creating a more sustainable fashion climate, in particular reducing the amount of new fashion being produced and subsequent waste that follows right after. However, the industrial rate at which fashion is being produced...

CREATION 2019

November 6, 2019

CREATION 2019 – an annual design competition hosted by the Hungarian Fur Trade Association (HFTA) – was held on 26th October, 2019, in New York Palace (The Dedica Anthology Hotel). More than 150 guests including politicians, media and press, representatives of the top design universities, designers, businesspeople, fur trade representatives, supporters, sponsors, attended the grand finale CREATION 2019 which was hosted at the prestigious and most beautiful café in the world (according to UCITYGUIDES: https://www.ucityguides.com/cities/top-10-cafes.html) The finalists presented products which were characterised by their unique solutions...

Fashion’s Cancel Culture Problem

November 5, 2019

Cancel culture is a form of public shaming that aims to hold individuals and groups accountable for their actions by calling attention to a behavior that is perceived to be problematic by somebody. Usually it manifests over social media, where some are attacking celebrities or brands for acting in a manner that they don’t agree with, but this toxic behavior can go beyond comments and reports on Facebook and do more harm when angry activists are the ones that are trying to impose their point...