furfashion, Author at We Are Fur • Page 2 of 4

How fur has surpassed into an all season material. Fur for the summer!

June 18, 2019

Your favourite fur coat may be too much to wear in the sizzling summer weather, but that isn’t an excuse to discard fur altogether from your summer wardrobe until the winter season approaches. Trend is revolutionising, and designers are incorporating fur in ways that makes it centre focus in their spring/summer collections, meaning that consumers, like me and you, can make a fashion statement all year round. It may come as a surprise, but there are in fact numerous ways that you can assertively wear,...

Introducing Fur Talks

June 17, 2019

1. Thomas Salomon interview with Hong Kong Tatler2. Business of Fashion article3. Vogue Italia and International Fur Trade Federation fur masterclass

Fur fashion explored by experts. IFF produces a brand-new fashion campaign.

June 11, 2019

The IFF comes back this year with an exciting and innovating approach to promoting fashionable fur with an environmental conscious! The IFF has recruited a series of external experts to lend their voice to narrate this year’s campaign and to present their own observations and conclusions on both, natural fur as a material as well as the industry. Their views endorse what the industry has been repeating through the past few years; natural fur is the responsible choice and goes as far as concluding that...

IFF CEO Mark Oaten comments on Prada banning fur

May 22, 2019

‘I am surprised that a brand which cares about sustainability is banning a natural product like fur. Now Prada customers will only have plastic fur as an option which is bad for the planet. I urge Prada to think again and trust its own consumers to decide if they want to buy real or fake fur.'

A Community Challenging NYC’s Proposed Fur Ban to Sustain Tradition, Livelihood and the Ecosystem.

May 14, 2019

Fur, a material that is natural, biodegradable, sustainable, long-lasting and environmentally-friendly is in the middle of a very unpleasant fight in New York City. In March, Council Speaker Corey Johnson propositioned a ban on the sale and manufacture of fur in New York – a proposal that would completely wipe out thousands of jobs and ultimately end businesses. To be more specific, this ranges from small businesses to leading international brands, big department stores, and major retailers – all which will destroy more than 7,500...

FUR FUTURES PROFILE – IMPERIA FURS & LEATHER

April 30, 2019

The International Fur Federation's support of the fur trade spreads far, wide and deep. This is why we were able to support long-standing members of the Greek Fur Federation, Imperia Furs & Leather with their latest fashion show. This is Christina Demertsidou's story... First of all, I would like to thank the International Fur Federation (IFF) for such a great opportunity. Over the years, I have been reading about the various Fur Futures success stories so it's a great pleasure to be accepted for the IFF Fur Futures bursary...

Future designers have a key role in shaping what the future of fashion will look like; students reveal their thoughts and feelings on natural fur…

April 30, 2019

On the 9th of April, the BFTA (British Fur Trade Association) hosted their competition one-day workshop for fashion design students from universities all over the UK. The BFTA Annual Design Competition is one of the key parts of their University Outreach Programme, and the aim of their competition is to encourage students to be innovative in design, and to explore the exciting and creative possibilities that fur gives to design, as well as learn about fur and how it’s produced. Participants are asked to create...

REBECCA BRADLEY LONDON FUR SUMMER SCHOOL

April 25, 2019

Calling all design student.... London-based designer and furrier Rebecca Bradley London is hosting her 6th annual Fur Summer School between Monday, August 5, and Friday, August 9, 2019. Rebecca has years of experience working with many leading luxury designers and brands. She also taught globally to industry and students. Her vast experience in the fur trade combines with an inspiring unorthodox approach. The aim of the course is to give attendees a well-rounded knowledge of the fur trade and skills for using fur, this will help...

Christian Dior: The Designer of Dreams

April 18, 2019

“Everything created by human hands express something – above all the personality of the creator. The same thing is true with a dress. But since so many people are working on it, the real job is to get all the hands that cut, sew, try on and embroider to express all I have felt.” - Christian Dior, 1954. The sold-out fashion exhibition the world is talking about, Christian Dior: The Designer of Dreams, is just that – a dream. Housed at London’s iconic Victoria & Albert Museum...

Wild Fur and Trapping

April 17, 2019

Throughout history, animals have been trapped, whether it’s for food, fur or other animal products. Trapping is now intrinsically linked to wildlife management, as it is used to address the challenges of overabundant species which can impact on the natural environment as well as other species, or even the threat that some of these animals pose to human safety. Trapping is therefore key to managing and maintaining populations in the wild. Photo by Coleen Olfenbuttel / North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission The trapping of wild...

People of honour

April 9, 2019

I come from a family of furriers with a tradition of more than 80 years. Back in the day, people used to take young apprentices to their workshops where they taught them how to perform a profession. In 1938 my grandfather started working as an apprentice at his brother-in-law’s workshop, and after a few years he learnt the secrets of this ancient occupation. After marrying my grandmother, he became her tutor and they worked together until he died. My father received knowledge from his family;...

EKATERINA AKKHUZINA: A FUR & FASHION TRAILBLAZER

April 5, 2019

While Ekaterina has a say in the designs of Ekaterina Furs, she openly discloses she is not a designer and doesn’t claim to be. As you’d expect, leading a fashion company means Ekaterina needs to be involved in every aspect of manufacturing, from design to production. Ekaterina takes me to the very start of production, the Fur Guru wants to know: is animal welfare an important factor you consider when sourcing and buying your furs, Ekaterina? Yes, of course! We work with global auction houses...

The rising environmental consciousness within the fashion industry.

April 4, 2019

The fashion industry is one of the most innovative industries in the world. Ultimately, this means that a large amount of responsibility is needed to ensure that the entire supply chain, and we, consumers, are protecting the environment. The fashion industry is taking a serious approach to sustainability, and rightly so. Albeit demanding, many luxury brands now have programmes to help ensure that they are doing the upmost to guarantee that they are becoming more environmentally-aware. As we develop our environmental consciousness as a society,...

FUR FUTURES PROFILE – PAOLO CONSONNI & CATERINA DE SIENA FASHION SCHOOL

April 4, 2019

IFF’s Fur Futures bursaries are used to support the entire width and breadth of the fur trade, from furriers and designers to federations and schools. Supporting the next generation of fur fashion talents is one of the aims of the IFF, which is why it was our pleasure to help Milan based fashion school Caterina Da Siena. IFF was contacted by furrier and teacher at Caterina Da Siena, Paolo Consonni, this is Paolo’s story of how IFF’s Fur Futures Bursary helped his class achieve greatness....

ALESSANDRA DAGNINO: FURS ITALIAN FIGHTER

March 29, 2019

Alessandra opens up... I studied History and International Relations at the same time as working at the university. I began writing articles as a freelance journalist, and it was through this role that I first encountered the fur trade and well, the rest is history! When it comes to fur, Italy is in a unique situation, firstly, do you agree, and secondly, would you like to expand on this? In Italy, we are an association that is home to the entire supply chain. We are...

FUR FUTURES PROFILE – DONG WANG

March 28, 2019

IFF's Fur Futures Bursary has helped many young designers around the world take part in REMIX, the international fur and fashion design competition hosted by IFF and supported by Vogue Talents. Our latest Fur Futures success story comes from Chinese designer Dong Wang who secured the much-coveted REMIX Saga Furs Award at REMIX 2019, this is Dong's story... First of all, I want to start off by saying I feel very proud that I was chosen to take part in REMIX, it's an amazing competition....

Furriery – a profession with tradition

March 27, 2019

Technology is evolving at a fast pace and everything is becoming automatic. We have self-driving cars, we use vending machines, instead of buying items directly from a shop, and we use self-checkout systems as an alternative to the traditional cashier-staffed checkout. All these changes have a major impact on the labor market, because people are being replaced by machines. Many occupations are disappearing and because of this, professions which require handcraft and expertise are becoming extinct. In the fabrication process of jewels, there are automatic tools...

BROOKE TIPPETT: THE FUTURE OF FUR

March 22, 2019

Growing up on a farm, Brooke quickly became accustom to the production processes in animal industries. From a young age, Brooke appreciated the natural resources the animal industries have given mankind for millennia, and it is for this reason she designs and creates with respect when using fur and other natural fabrics. In fact, Brooke confesses… the more I researched fur and began to work with furriers on the production of garments, the more I understood the inner workings of the industry – especially the...

When the public opinion becomes more important than ethics: The truth behind activist’s publicity stunts

March 20, 2019

We live in a time where fake news and click baits are overtaking the media, where it misleads people for one’s own benefit, and because of this, it is becoming harder and harder to distinguish whether a subject is legit or a hoax. Information is coming out fast, so fast that no one has the time or intention to double check nor to analyze its truth, as nowadays jumping to conclusions is easier than checking the source of a specific story. Headline-grabbing tactics usually involve...

FUR FUTURES PROFILE – LONG CHEN

March 20, 2019

Following the success of REMIX 2019 comes another success story from Chinese designer Long Chen. A young and passionate designer, Long has achieved much over the last few years, and with the help of IFF's bursary, he has gone on to achieve more. This is Long Chen's story... Hello everyone, I am Long Chen, a fashion designer from China. After winning the REMIX Asian Fur Design Competition in Korea in October 2018, I was honoured to have the opportunity to participate in the final of...

FUR FUTURES PROFILE – ANNA NAWROCKA

March 15, 2019

Our first Fur Futures success story of 2019 comes from Anna Nawrocka from Poland. After joining the International Fur Federation (IFF) Fur Futures programme, Anna was excited to join a group of likeminded individuals. And after applying for a bursary from IFF, Anna was able to create with fur and apply to be a part of IFF’s REMIX Fur design competition supported by Vogue Talents. This is Anna’s story… Thanks to the grant I received from IFF, the support from Polish Fur Federation and Nutrex Leather Trade...

LUMIN YAO: A GRASSROOTS POWERHOUSE

March 15, 2019

After graduating from the Schulich School of Business, York University in Toronto, Canada, Lumin joined an internship program set up by the Canadian Government’s International Business and Foreign Trade Ministry. The Ministry was working with Canada China Business Council (CCBC) in China, of which North American Fur Auctions (NAFA) was a member – this was Lumin’s gateway into the fur trade. Lumin describes her entrance into the fur trade as the “perfect accident”, but sixteen years later, this accident can only be described as the...

Ethics and Aesthetics: The Real Debate about Fake Fur

March 13, 2019

The debate around fur seems to be endless. We are on the side of fur supporters who believe that fur is sustainable. Today, in an era where plastic waste is rife, the fur industry is becoming more regulated and integrated with animal welfare, namely because of the FurMark certifications. But in all this endless debate surrounding ethics and sustainability, we are losing sight of one thing: aesthetics. But let’s face it. Fur is fashionable - it looks and feels good too. Fur has always been a...

SANDY BLYE: A FUR TRADE MULTIHYPHENATE

March 8, 2019

Like me, I’m sure many of you have crossed paths with Sandy throughout the years. Wearing many hats and with her fingers in all the fur trade’s pies, Sandy juggles so many different ventures, it’s difficult to pin-point her influence and knowledge as it is so huge. From my first day working in the industry, I felt a strong connection not just to fur but also to the members of the industry. So many of the companies are family-run, multi-generational businesses. Coming from my own close-knit family,...

CATALYST FOR SUCCESS

March 6, 2019

While highlighting fur as a sustainable and a modern versatile fashion material, REMIX 2019 also shines a light on emerging designers – and serves as a “career launch pad.” Download PDF

Milan Fashion Week + Paris Fashion Week Roundup

March 5, 2019

Fur is taking fashion weeks by storm as usual, and Milan & Paris Fashion Weeks are no different. Similar fur silhouettes were showcased and paraded down the world’s most opulent runways, and distinctive, sophisticated and chic furs took centre-stage. Not only did the six fashion houses that are discussed use fur, other major fashion houses did too, and included the same amount of creativeness and design… these six just caught my eye the most. Milan Fashion Week Fendi: Two days before Karl Lagerfeld’s passing, he...

REMIX 2019: Reimagining Fur in Fashion

March 1, 2019

Milan Fashion Week is always a pleasure, but on February 24th, the Fur Guru had a ticket to the presentation of the season: REMIX! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1whLgKc6FA REMIX 2019 Official Video Each year the International Fur Federation hosts a competition for young fashion and fur designers with the support of Vogue Talents. And after sneaking past the vip wall (the guru likes a low key life), I sipped my welcome drinks and nibbled on my canapés while touring the fashion exhibition, navigating the exposed concrete pillars at...

IFF REMIX 2019

February 26, 2019

Milan, 25 February 2019. REMIX, an international competition for young fashion and fur design talents, organised by the International Fur Federation (IFF) with the support of Vogue Talents, declared three winning designers last night during the annual award ceremony in Milan. This year, IFF asked the competition’s 10 finalists to create three fur garments that reflected the theme: Responsibility, and Berivan Cemal, from the Netherlands, won the much-coveted REMIX Gold award. Berivan received the Kopenhagen Furs (KF) sponsored prize, which includes a paid trip to...

My Grandmother’s fur coat 35 years on…

February 19, 2019

1992 How many of your clothes have a history? We are living in an era of consumerism, characterized by mass production and by a personal happiness achieved by the consumption and by the purchase of material possessions – usually pointless pieces that we don’t need, that are giving us satisfaction when buying them. But that satisfaction eventually wears off after a few days, and so we feel the need to buy something new. We are constantly updating our wardrobe, filling it with things that are...

The Fur Guru meets the REMIX Class of 2019

February 15, 2019

As New York Fashion Week draws to a close, and London Fashion Week commences, the Fur Guru is growing more excited as Milan Fashion Week approaches, this means only one thing: REMIX. REMIX, an international fur design competition for young creative talents, is a staple of my fashion weeks circuit, and this year is set to be the best one yet. So, it comes as no surprise that before REMIX’s 10 finalists embark on the greatest opportunity of their careers, we come together to discuss...

NYFW round up

February 12, 2019

This NYFW has seen the colours, the famous A-listers, and the oh-so-loved material, fur. As this has been Women’s Fashion Week, of course women have been at the core, and all collections have been centred to show that women in fashion are evolving, and fur is welcomed and loved by the strongest women of all. Longchamp Longchamp have showcased their AW19 collection during NYFW, and what a display. Ranging from the location - models strutting down a runway on the ground floor of a skyscraper...

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid – A Fur Fantasy

February 8, 2019

Escaping the snow that blankets Europe and the polar vortex engulfing the US Midwest, I find myself under the reasonably warm Mediterranean sun – it’s time for the hotly anticipated Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid (MBFWMadrid). Between Friday 25 and Monday 28 January, I navigated the cobbled parades that crisscross Madrid, skipping from fashion show to expert talks by industry luminaries, and back again. On the opening day of MBFWMadrid, the Guru is in a sensory overload. Marcos Luengo showcased a series of pastel and colour...

Freedom of Choice

February 5, 2019

How is our freedom of choice attacked without us noticing it? It can be said that the anti-fur movement is making a step towards a higher ethic, based on the premise of the sanctity of an animal’s life. But what happens when this premise is overlapping with an inalienable right? – the freedom of choice. The main problem is that nobody sees it as an attack on this right. Our ancestors fought and died so that we can be able to choose. We should be...

Interview with designer, Sergey Efremov

January 29, 2019

Sergey Efremov How and why did you get involved with the fur fashion industry? Was it unplanned or was it a goal from a young age? I inherited my desire to create fashionable things from my grandfather, who was a very talented person, and one of the most important person in my life, my grandmother. She did something with her hands all the time, fantastically embroidered and sewed, perfectly knitted, loved fashion and art very much and could not imagine her life without these things....

Another Eight Chinese farms passing GOOD4FUR Certification

January 25, 2019

On January 16th, 2019, the 2nd GOOD4FUR Certified Farm press meeting was held in China National Convention Center, jointly by China Leather Industry Association (CLIA, for short) and IFF. Attendees from various industries were present at the meeting, including leaders of Ministry of Agriculture, CLIA, IFF, Canada Mink Breeding Association, China Feather and Down Industry Association, China Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, China Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing association, China Cuisine Association, Jilin Agricultural University, and assessment-team representative and journalists' home and abroad. Photo for the 2nd GOOD4FUR...

Facing The Tough Market Actively Together – Beijing Fur Fair 2019

January 24, 2019

2019 Beijing Fur & Leather Products Fair was held from 16-18th January in Beijing. As the most important fur fair in China, its performance was directly related to the market. This year, around 200 exhibitors participated in the fair with the exhibition area deceased to 15% compared to last year. Because of a tough 2018 in China's market in domestic and export, a deep sense of gloom was over the fair. Fur retail sales in China's Northeast decreased around 50% in the winter. Moreover, a lot of farmers...

2019 kicks off with a bang, and fur! London Men’s Fashion Week wrapped up…

January 17, 2019

London Men’s Fashion Week has been a success, with three brands using fur in their collections. All three brands had something in common, that being a combination of two ideas interwoven to form each individual collection into something unique, modern, and aesthetically remarkable. Colour scheme was also similar, as each collection had neutral tones dominating the runway, with carefully chosen pops of vivid colour to stand out from normality of the everyday. Edward Crutchley Edward Crutchley AW19 Has Edward Crutchley made formalwear fancy? His new...

EDWARD CRUTCHLEY – A LONDON FASHION WEEK MENS SENSATION & VISIONARY

January 15, 2019

Happy New Year my readers, the Fur Guru returns! And O-boy, do I have a London Fashion Week exclusive for you to sink your teeth into. London Fashion Week Men’s kick-started 2019 magnificently for the Guru. A couple of days of shows, dinners and parties kept me busy from dawn to dusk, and now, while I unwind and reflect on my week, there’s one show that cannot escape my mind: Edward Crutchley. On the opening day of LFWM Autumn/Winter 2019, I sat front row during...

International Fur Federation Statement

January 14, 2019

International Fur Federation StatementFriday 11 January 2019, London- “Fake News” is now seen as one of the greatest threats to democracy, free debate and the Western order. Headlines claiming that London Fashion Week has banned fur are completely false. No such decision has been taken and fur has already been shown during Men’s Fashion Week in January. Reports that the city Council of Los Angeles has banned fur are also false, no ban exists and fur is still being sold in LA. The council have voted to explore...

Hang Together! From Suning to the World.

January 2, 2019

The 18th China ShangCun International Fur Trade Fair was held on the 11th, Nov. 2018 in Suning, China. As one of the biggest manufacture bases in China, Suning has been playing a unique role in the fur industry. The organizer of the fair includes China Leather Industry Association (CLIA), China Animal-Products Marketing Association (CAMA), and members of IFF in China. Hang Together! From Suning to the World. Chairman of IFF, Johannes Manakas, attended the fair and made a speech in the opening ceremony. As the fur selling season came to...

2018 All Wrapped Up

December 14, 2018

The Fur Guru leaves 2018 wiser and resilient. Like the rest of the fur trade, the Fur Guru has much to be thankful for and much to look forward to looking to the future. So, what better way to end the year than with the words of the fur trade, starting with IFF CEO, Mark Oaten: So, I guess as we look back on 2018, it’s been tough at times with some big-name brands going fur-free. But the IFF has been fighting back hard...

A Furry Christmas Wish List…

December 4, 2018

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! And we are here to guide you with a wish list to help you through the most magical season to look your most festive. There is no better time than Christmas to bring out all-natural fur must-haves. And seeing as it’s just around the corner, there is no time to lose in deciding which furs one should have to ensure you shine this winter season, and every other season. 1. D&G Lapin and Leather Strap:Are you...

Meet the winner of Remix Eurasia 2018: Julia Yukhnovich

November 27, 2018

On November 15, 2018, the Russian Fur Union in cooperation with the Turkish Fur Industrialists and Businessmen Association (KSIAD) and with the support of the International Fur Federation hosted the final of Remix-Eurasia 2018 – an international competition for young designers of fur garments, in Istanbul, Turkey. The competition was held in two stages, during the first stage, the jury determined the most talented and interesting sketches of young designers. This was followed by the second stage where the finished designs made from sketches were...

EKATERINA FURS GALA SHOW

November 23, 2018

On November 20, 2018 a new winter collection of EKATERINA FURS was presented in Hayatt Regency Moscow Petrovsky park. Both classic and bright garments, corresponding to modern fashion trends, were shown. Comics, graffiti, and always an actual check are reflected in these unusual fur coats. Furs combine styles, eras and various fashion trends - this was the main theme. Ekaterina Akkhuzina emphasized: “The colossal work of professionals - furriers, tailors, artists has...

FUR-THE MIRACLE FABRIC- DIPLOMA. Q&A WITH CENTRIA UNIVERSITY

November 23, 2018

Calling all aspiring fur designers, Centria University in Finland is waiting... Centria University of Applied Sciences, located in Western Finland, Northern Europe, offers a wide-range of world class degrees and workshops designed to further the knowledge and understanding of fur designers and furriers from around the world. Delving into what students can expect when attending Centria, our Q&A session with Pia Blomström informs and answers any and all questions you may have about studying and designing with fur here. Q: As an introduction to the...

JFA Offered Material Fur for Bunka Fashion College’s Culture Fest Fashion Show

November 20, 2018

JFA offered blue fox and silver fox for the Culture Fest Fashion Show at Bunka Fashion College. The theme of the show was ‘Famiglia:With Formality and Pride in Mind.’ The suiting material for twelve bodies were offered by CERRUTI, an Italian noble family, which successfully created a scene to represent ‘a touch of class and dignity’ in collaboration with fur. We hear that the works presented on the stage, including suits, fur stoles, hats, corsages, belts...

Korea Fur Federation (KFF) successfully hosted ‘the 5th K-Fur Design Contest’

November 15, 2018

On November 13th, Korea Fur Federation successfully hosted the 5thK-Fur Design Contest at Sheraton Seoul Palace Gangnam Hotel. The final was judged and scored by 3 professors, 1 major fashion designers and Mr. HJ Kim, the chairman of KFF. During the contest, the grand prize award went to Unsoo Han, studying in Dongseo University in Busan, Korea. The concept of his design is ‘A flock of mallards flying in the sky of a sunset glow.’Unsoo Han said in his acceptance speech, “I have earned many...

The “Ivy Style” and Fur!

November 13, 2018

“Ivy Style” (also known as the “Ivy League look”) originated from the early 1950’s of the grounds and libraries of all-male American universities like, Harvard, Yale and most notably Princeton. Traditionally, Ivy Style was considered a classic and a beautifully-tailored look, however, it quickly expanded beyond campus walls becoming a lifestyle choice for a diverse population of young men. From young working-class men to middle-class jazz musicians, the Ivy League look, which consists of penny loafers (often with socks), smooth chinos, accompanied by a full...

Press Conference in Russia

November 12, 2018

On November 9, 2018, the Russian Fur Union, in collaboration with Russia Fur Fashion Week, held an insightful and educational press conference at the Russian State University’s (RSU) media centre Kosygin. Speakers at the conference included: Stolbov S.G., President of the “Russian Fur Union” Bogza A.V., Founder of “Russia.Fur Fashion Week” Belgorodsky VS, Rector of RSU. A.N. Kosygin O. Kascheev, Vice-Rector for Research, RSU them. A.N. Kosygin Victoria Pustynnikova, Kopenhagen Fur Dmitry Larionov,...

Look stylish and snug this Bonfire night – there’s no excuse not to!

November 2, 2018

Bonfire night fever is sweeping the nation, so it’s time you get wardrobe ready. It’s that time of year where everyone endures the cold for a night of outdoor entertainment. Look no further, for all you fashion must-haves for bonfire night are right here. Whether you’re at the park, or at a rooftop bar, sipping a glass of whatever-you-like watching the fireworks, one thing is for sure: it’s going to be cold. Maintaining your style and keeping warm can be difficult, especially when one often...

The fashion world at risk of losing years’ worth of skill and heritage.

October 30, 2018

“Fashion is like a party. Getting dressed is preparing to play a role. I am not a couturier, I am a craftsman, a maker of happiness.” Yves Saint Laurent. Craftsmanship was an artistic development of modern art, which originated in Britain and moved towards continental Europe and the US, whereby the arts and crafts movement was predominantly involved with architecture and decorative arts. Craftsmanship is important when it comes...

MARK OATEN, CEO OF IFF ON COACH QUITTING FUR

October 23, 2018

‘Coach statement to support sustainability by going fur free is ridiculous. How can dropping a totally natural product like fur be sustainable? They either don’t understand what sustainability means or are really just panicked by a minority of animal rights campaigners. Even though Fur makes up only 1 percent of coach operations, soon they will have to ban leather and wool and cotton. The animal rights agenda will not stop until coach is totally based on vegan products.’

DOROTA GOLDPOINT: DESIRE FOR FREEDOM

October 19, 2018

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” - Coco Chanel From London to Warsaw, the Fur Guru’s fur fashion fiesta continues…On October 12, I travelled to Warsaw, Poland, hailed a taxi and headed straight for my favorite restaurant – the Chef’s Table at The Sheraton. And as I enjoy my prosecco brunch I am overcome with excitement and anticipation because I, the...

Not only does fur have a place in fashion, but it has conquered interior décor too!

October 17, 2018

Fur hasn’t only soared in the fashion world, it has also taken the world of décor to a whole other level. With the same elements of fashion included – comfortable and stylish – whether it be chic and modern, or an old styled rustic space – fur can be incorporated in every way possible to assemble the perfect interior style. An impeccably styled fur-trimmed scarf, or an eye-catching fur embellished coat have only been one half of what is a rising phenomenon – fur décor....

Princess Diana: An Immortal Fashion Muse

October 12, 2018

“Diana was the very essence of compassion, of duty, of style, of beauty… It is a point to remember that of all the ironies about Diana, perhaps the greatest was this – a girl given the name of the ancient goddess of hunting was, in the end, the most hunted person of the modern age.”– Earl Spencer (Princess Diana’s brother) The Fur Guru begins a crisp yet sunny October morning with a trip to the iconic residence of British royalty – Kensington Palace. And...

MEET THE WINNER OF ASIA REMIX 2018: LONG CHEN

October 9, 2018

ASIA REMIX 2018 is a natural fur design competition for emerging young designers as a platform to exhibit their material, held by the International Fur Federation (IFF). It connects aspiring, eminent contestants with well-respected international juries. The winner of the ASIA REMIX 2018 has been announced, and after competing with 6,000 contestants, designer Long Chen from China takes the grand prize home! Notable achievement followed… Taking place at the Grand Hyatt, Seoul, fourteen finalists were chosen from 6,000 candidates around Asia to showcase...

Bianca Margarit: The Next Generation

October 5, 2018

“What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace.” - John Wesley The Fur Guru’s worldly travels continues, my darlings, and this week I’ve got a story you can really sink your teeth into. A few days ago, as I wandered the banks of the Danube River in Budapest, Hungary, opposite the majestic Hungarian Parliament Building, a familiar face emerged from the crowd. Of all the millions of people that call this culturally rich city home, I stumble into the cheerful Bianca Margarit from Bucharest....

IIFF CEO Mark Oaten responds to DVF going fur free

October 4, 2018

‘Diane Von Furstenberg is a designer we admire hugely. Yet today, she joins the ranks of brands giving in to pressure and intimidation from groups like PETA. Their extremist views see them making outrageous statements. They veto the use of animal testing even if it could cure HIV, and have revoltingly compared the chicken food industry to the Jewish holocaust. Giving up fur because of the ‘environmental impact of farmed fur’ makes absolutely no sense. Farmed fur is one of the most sustainable circular practices in the fashion world. Fur farming,...

Merci Beaucoup Paris for a whirlwind week full of fabulous fashion!

October 3, 2018

September may mark la fin of summer, but it welcomes the last of the fashion shows – Bienvenue Paris Fashion Week. Saint Laurent kick-started Paris Fashion Week SS19 in sensational style – opposite the Eiffel Tower, with the shining lights glimmering over the models strutting down the ‘walking-on-water’ runway. SAINT LAURENT The SS19 Saint Laurent collection fits exactly what Anthony Vaccarello is about – ultra-high, visuals on show, and, the colour black. Sticking to his forte, leather and snakeskin came in forms...

WWD X Designer Chunchen Liu ‘Fur a Sustainable, Versatile Choice’

October 1, 2018

SS19 does neutral with a splash of colour

September 25, 2018

NYFW and MFW SS19 did not disappoint in giving us eye-catching vibrant pieces to romanticise over. Striking shades have been the ‘it-thing’ on the runway this year proving that being ‘empowering’ and ‘assertive’ can come in colour form. We saw this with more designers choosing to experiment with their designs and bold colours creating a youthful and playful feminine mystique on the catwalk. Pantone released predicted shades that were thought to be popular this NYFW. Sally Lapointe Sally LaPointe primarily featured neutral tones...

Rome: 3000 Years of Fur

September 17, 2018

“Veni, vidi, vici. (I came, I saw, I conquered.)” ― Julius Caesar For millennia, Rome, with its chaos and charm, has been home to history’s most powerful and creative minds. The famed Eternal City with its mismatch of ancient ruin and modern elegance, which for thousands of years has been built and shared by great Emperors, artists, and mere mortals alike, is where this guru has been wandering. And while this may be my first ancient expedition to one of the world’s most romantic cities,...

International Fur Federation response to Burberry fur ban

September 6, 2018

Mark Oaten, CEO of the International Fur Federation, representing the fur trade worldwide, said: “For many years we have been proud to work with Burberry and provide them with high quality natural furs. “We understand and support their initiative to minimise waste and how they are dealing with the stock burning issue in order to be more environmentally friendly. “However their decision to phase out fur is disappointing and contradicts their statement of, ‘luxury being environmentally responsible’. “Substituting natural fur with plastic petroleum-based materials, like...

FUR FUTURES PROFILE – JAVIER ECHEVERRIA SOLA

August 31, 2018

Another Fur Futures success story comes from Spanish designer Javier Echeverría Sola. When Javier was offered the opportunity to become an International Fur Federation (IFF) Fur Futures Member he was initially humbled for the recognition IFF showed him. However, with the bursary he received from IFF, this recognition quickly translated into several new opportunities. Javier was able to take part in IFF’s Remix Fur Design Competition where he was selected as finalist in Spain with Occidens and his capsule collection. Not long after this, Javier...

Fur: A Reality Check

August 22, 2018

Not only is real fur continuing to make a strong showing on the catwalks, but it is also sustainable, argue Mark Oaten and Nancy Daigneault. Read more at https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/opinion/op-ed-fur-a-reality-check

The archive, the relevance of telling a story

July 20, 2018

“I get slightly obsessive about working in archives because you don't know what you're going to find. In fact, you don't know what you're looking for until you find it.” - Antony Beevor Oh, what a joy it is to wake up with the promise of a warm, sunny day in London! But more so if there’s also the encouragement of getting out of bed to have an early look at the curiosities The Arc at LCF (London College of Fashion) contains. Rejoice my darlings!...

Azzedine Alaia, the truth teller

July 13, 2018

“The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You trade in your sense for an act. You give up your ability to feel, and in exchange, put on a mask. There can't be any large-scale revolution until there's a personal revolution, on an individual level. It's got to happen inside first.” - Jim Morrison I know, I know. I told you the next post would be about Alexander McQueen's little treasures found...

New study compares natural and fake fur biodegradability

June 27, 2018

Natural fur biodegrades rapidly even in landfill conditions without oxygen as opposed to fake fur which does not biodegrade at all, a new study shows. Experts from the Organic Waste Systems laboratory in Ghent, Belgium, examined how real and fake fur degrade in conditions set up to mimic closed landfill conditions, so-called anaerobic biodegradation. Commenting on the report’s findings Mark Oaten, CEO of the IFF said: “Fake fur has been promoted as the sustainable alternative to natural fur, but in reality, it is highly polluting....

McQueen, restoring life’s square deal

June 22, 2018

“You have the power to read in-between lines and look through people… that’s a hitch that will haunt you for the rest of your life.” - The Guru’s dad regular quote whenever he encountered the threat of her questioning the real meaning of life… words, rules, the system or people’s real intentions. And so, it is my darling readers. My father was right; it keeps haunting me. But, it’s good to know I’m not alone in this world. Oh no (no, NO!). Not under any...

Fur Futures Profile – Lam Wing Sum

June 14, 2018

One of our final Fur Futures bursary which was granted to Hong Kong designer Lam Wing Sum. Lam had only been introduced to fur design only a few months before the REMIX applications opened thanks to a course hosted by the Hong Kong Fur Federation (HKFF). From then on, Lam has excelled in discovering a variety of techniques and wanted to explore further in her designs which is why she applied for a bursary to complete her application. Below is the designer's blog entry...

Here come the girls: What you see is what you get

June 8, 2018

“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell The Guru has always had a soft spot for this lady. Since my arrival to the fur trade her enthusiasm and leadership grasped me. Mette is that kind of woman that shines while making people accomplish high goals. She likes to command but she does it with grace and dignity, she doesn’t impose or abuse her power. She is a true leader that shares her ideas but also, she’s a...

Here come the girls: The irrepressible female spirit

June 1, 2018

“That was her magic— she could still see the sunset even on those darkest days.” – Atticus Poetry, Love Her Wild The Guru finishes another day at work. She’s meeting a friend for drinks. While having dinner, the conversation turns to her new project (this one) and the mentioned friend queries about what this woman (me) is trying to achieve. Life is funny like that, it all appears to fall in place as this week I met Katie. And she is a good example of...

Here come the girls: No quitter

May 25, 2018

“If the fire in your heart is strong enough, it will burn away any obstacles that come your way.” – Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem I met Marcie October 2016 in Greece. The introduction was brief and we shared a bit of conversation (with good Greek food, music and wine). Marcie is approachable, friendly and makes you feel at ease from the moment you meet her. Yet (I was told), in business she’s determined, unstoppable, respected and...

Here come the girls: Setting example

May 18, 2018

“Setting a good example is a far better way to spread ideals than through force of arms.” – Ron Paul My visit to Kopenhagen Fur Studio a few months ago left me with a feeling of contentment. Not only because of the beautiful surroundings and work this talent hub has gifted the fur industry with but also because this Guru noticed that, in the heart of it, a big group of women are directing, promoting and supporting the creation of outstanding work. Catja is in...

Here come the girls: Meet the boss

May 11, 2018

“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made... It shouldn't be that women are the exception.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg How exciting! The Guru can’t believe she has been so lucky to start this new venture with one of the best representatives of female triumph: Maria Reich AKA the Fur Boss (I’m pinching myself right now). The Fur Guru was pretty curious to find out how Maria can play so many roles throughout the day and still look glorious at the end of...

Fur Futures Profile – Abigail Wirth

May 9, 2018

Hungarian designer Abigail Wirth has had an extraordinary start to her career in fur fashion. With less than 6 months of learning about the industry, Abigail could already envisage designs and creative paths on how fur can portray modern day issues. Abigail went on to apply for the 2018 REMIX Design Competition where a Fur Futures bursary assisted in Abigail's completed work which resulted in her being awarded the Bronze Award. In addition to the award, her three pieces were included in an feature in...

Here come the girls, the new Fur Guru’s venture

May 4, 2018

“It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.” – Madeleine Albright It’s becoming more apparent in the latest years that people of all backgrounds - women and men are showing up and want to be counted as those who believe in a world that is impartial, broadminded, ethical and safe for all, one in which the human rights and dignity of each person is protected. This year waits for...

Fur Futures Profile – Siyang Meng

May 2, 2018

Chinese student Siyang Meng was among a number of design students who applied to be part of the 2018 REMIX Design Competition. A bursary application via Fur Futures set Siyang on the way to finish 3 incredible designs that saw her claim the Silver Award and the chance to visit Kopenhagen Fur's Design Studio. Below is Siyang's blog entry on her time in Milan for REMIX and how the bursary has helped her progress in her design career. I feel very proud that I can...

Fashioned from nature at the V&A, London

April 27, 2018

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” – Frank Lloyd Wright The Victoria and Albert Museum in London homes an exhibition that looks at the relationship between fashion and the natural world: Fashioned from nature. May the Guru add, a complex and ever-evolving one; as fashion echoes the inspiration and rapport between clothes and the environment (flora and fauna), it has also had an impact on nature. So, the Guru walked through this exhibition where she was awaiting the...

Britain’s Fur Industry Bites Back

April 17, 2018

The British Fur Trade is mounting a robust defense of the industry ahead of a U.K. parliamentary hearing set for April 18.

Eco-Friendly And Talented : The Future Of Fur Design Starts With REMIX

April 9, 2018

An ethical and green approach was the constant thread of the 2018 edition - the fifteenth - of REMIX, the international contest for young, fashion & fur design talents organised by the International Fur Federation (IFF) with the support of Vogue Talents. At the end of Milan's Fashion Week, Palazzo Barozzi hosted the prize-giving event and runway show featuring the international designers - selected from over 100 applications - who favoured recycled materials, eco-friendly dyes and fur that has been certified in its traceability. "Fur...

Fur Futures Profile – Angel Tran

April 6, 2018

Our bursary program has seen applications come from all sectors for an array of opportunities. The REMIX Design Competition is a prime example of how we want to help support the new generation in opportunities. Angel Tran is a designer whose pieces were chosen by Vogue Talents to partake in the 2018 REMIX event in Milan last February. To ensure his garments were completed, Angel applied for a bursary where we were more than happy to oblige to. Below is Angel's story on creating his...

China’s First Step to Push Out GOOD4FUR Certified Farm

March 23, 2018

Introduction: the first GOOD4FUR certification was launched in Beijing, China. It marks that fur economic animals farming enters a new era with standardisation, process, normalisation and modernisation. On January 16th, 2018, GOOD4FUR Certified Farm press meeting was held in China National Convention Center, jointly by China Leather Industry Association (CLIA, for short) and IFF. Five farms were awarded with honor of “GOOD4FUR Certified Farm”, namely Dalian Mingwei Marten Farm Co., Ltd, Huitai Mink Farm, Goldtime Farming (Harbin) Co., Ltd, Harbin Hualong Blue Fox Breeding Co.,...

Fur Futures Profile – Chloe Corrillon

March 21, 2018

Fur Futures member Chloe Corrillon is a recent graduate from Haute Ecole Francisco Ferrer in Brussels, Belgium. After graduating, Chloe attended a fur workshop program in Centria University, Finland where she learnt new crafting skills and enhanced her interest in fur. Chloe therefore joined our Fur Futures program in which we granted her the chance to learn first hand skills at furrier Rebecca Bradley London for a short internship. Below Chloe talks about her time at the London furrier. During my study I had the opportunity...

International Fur Federation ‘Disappointed’ in Versace No Fur Stance

March 15, 2018

ANIMAL INSTINCTS: The International Fur Federation doesn’t waste a minute. Shortly after 1843, The Economist’s lifestyle magazine, published an interview online with Donatella Versace saying she was renouncing fur, the lobby sprang into action. In the story, which will come out in print on Friday, Versace said fur will no longer be used in her collections. “Fur? I am out of that. I don’t want to kill animals to make fashion. It doesn’t feel right,” she told the magazine. Reached Wednesday, a Versace spokesman said...

AW18 Fashion Week Review

March 13, 2018

The AW18 catwalks shows were a blockbuster of big colours and statements from all four major fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris. Fur was of course present at these weeks and we have crafted up our review on the fashion weeks and the best fur pieces on display during the past couple months. New York: A city that is fit to kick off the official fashion month, New York offered an eclectic and varied range of inspirations and certainly no...

Fur Futures Profile – ALEXQUISITE

March 7, 2018

ALEXQUISITE, is the creative brand and brainchild of Greek designer and Fur Future member Alexandros Kotoulas. Alex applied for a bursary to help fund and explore new tryouts on fur accessories. Here, Alex explains the skill required to complete his new fur creations funded by the Fur Futures programme ALEXQUISITE fur bags encapsulate the highest in craftsmanship, quality and design, all made in Greece by artisanal independent workshops. resulting in a piece that you will never stop caressing! As you can see in...

Fur Futures Profile – Aigul Asadulina

February 22, 2018

The Fur Futures program this past year has helped support a number of design students on creating garments for the upcoming REMIX 2018 Design Competition. Aigul Asadulina from Russia wanted to continue her work with fur after featuring in last years Kopenhagen Fur's Imagine Talents. Some may be aware that Aigul also took part in the 2017 REMIX. With some incredible opportunities already under her belt, the talented Russian still wanted to see where she can be inspired next in working with fur. The...

Real vs. Plastic: Is natural fur “sustainable?”

February 16, 2018

Mark Oaten talks to WWD about the sustainability of fur and misconceptions about the fur industry.

REMIX 2018: For the love of nature

February 16, 2018

“Nature always wears the colours of the spirit.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Hola! (little wave) I have been busy putting together images and words about this year’s REMIX finalists (Whoop whoop!). Using nature as their source of inspiration, these ten talented crafters and thinkers bring to the catwalk their vision of how fur and fashion can be used as tools to make a positive difference to the world, with a specific focus on preservation of the natural environment, sustainability and giving back to communities that...

Zorannah – FUR NOW

February 6, 2018

Over the past couple of months, we have shared a number of fashion bloggers who have showed off their collection of furs. This week we wrap up warm with blogger Zorannah Jovanovic who takes us to Serbia where she also shares her views on our FUR NOW campaign. Good morning guys! Last week I was in Belgrade for 3 days to finish something and I was with my photographer Marija so we decided to take outfit photos - blast from the past....

We’ll always have Paris

February 2, 2018

“Paris is narcotic for a man alone, a never-ending labyrinth where the anxiety of freedom is relieved”. – Federico Castigliano This is my last day in Paris. I have always had a bit of reservation towards this city. I lived here for a while and, apparently (as I discovered then in one of my French classes), people from my country have a “very strong accent” to master the sensual phonetics of the language in an urban way. My over-cautious and self-conscious approach to the language...

Fur industry says “it’s time to call out the fake news about fake fur”

February 1, 2018

The international fur industry is launching a global campaign to highlight the colossal environmental damage caused by plastic based fake fur. Fake fur is often pushed by animal activist groups as the ethical alternative to real fur. But in a hard hitting campaign across all continents, the fur trade says, “It’s time to call out the fake news about fake fur”. The industry has produced a video which shows the destructive nature of fake fur and is being circulated worldwide, in China, Japan, Taiwan,...

REMIX Success Stories – Nicolas Lecourt Mansion

January 31, 2018

With less than 1 month until the 2018 REMIX Design Competition, we take a look at designer Nicolas Lecourt Mansion, who claimed the Bronze Award last year. Nicolas describes to us his creative visions and what his experience of being a REMIX finalist has created in his young career so far. When did you first get into fashion and why? I can’t remember the exact date when I started having a special interest in fashion, but I know it was really early. I...

IFF China Announces 2018 REMIX Design Competition Winner

January 25, 2018

On January 16, 2018, "Fushion Night" fur fashion show was held in China Beijing national convention centre, as one important activity of BIFE (Beijing International Fur & Leather Products Exhibition), NAFA Cup-The 14th China International Youth Fur Fashion Design Competition & 2018 IFF REMIX Competition China Selection also announced the final result. This year's competition received 980 design sketches from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Britain and Italy. The total number of web click has reached 55446 times, and the total...

Scent Of Obsession – FUR NOW

January 23, 2018

Fashion blogger and photographer Nicoletta Reggio is a globetrotter who certainly knows a thing or two about fashion. In her latest blog, Nicoletta took a trip to the beautiful Turin while also telling us what she thinks about our latest FUR NOW campaign. I could not wait to return to the city with the most beautiful, lively centre ever. Turin. I spent a Sunday morning wandering the streets of Turin, a hot cappuccino in front of the beautiful Piazza Vittorio and then the exhibition of...

Fashion In My Soul – FUR NOW

January 16, 2018

Christmas may have been and gone but we still have plenty to share with you from our furry fashionistas!! This week Barbora Ondrackova @fashioninmysoul manages to fit in a bit of skating in her amazing Stephane Rolland fur coat in Dresden, Germany. Check out the images below and also Barbora's take on our FUR NOW campaign. Enjoy! With Christmas around the corner, I am starting to feel more and more festive. I have been to the Christmas markets in Prague and Dresden, I decorated the...

Yves Saint Laurent Museum, the romantic escapade

January 12, 2018

“I have always believed that fashion was not only to make women more beautiful, but also to reassure them, give them confidence”. – Yves Saint Laurent Happy New Year my darling readers! The Guru has been working a lot but hasn’t forgotten about you. As a treat and, for you to forgive her long absence, she has brought you the epitome of the Parisian romanticism: Yves Saint Lauren. For many years, Laurent studied fashion and took numerous classes to enhance his knowledge on designing...

Pardon My Obsession – FUR NOW

January 9, 2018

With the continued success of our FUR NOW 2017 campaign, we wanted to implement fur fashion to the wider audience and in particular within social media.That is why, with support from Fur Europe, we managed to get hold of four of the most fashion savvy bloggers on social media. This week we have the pleasure of Caroline A.K.A Pardon My Obsession to share with us a brief insight into one of her lavish days in Paris. Hey you guys, it’s almost Christmas,...

British designer Edward Crutchley collaborates with Kopenhagen Fur

January 4, 2018

Over three years ago, after about a dozen years working as a consultant for Louis Vuitton, among others, Edward Crutchley launched his namesake brand. Since then, season after season, the designer has stirred up the men’s wear market with runway designs that startle, wow and woo the fashion set. We talk with him about design, inspiration, and his collaboration with Kopenhagen Fur.