Fur Style Blog: International Fur Federation

AW21: a Fur Fantasy

April 23, 2021

As virtual Fashion Weeks around the world concluded, a schedule which saw editors, celebrities and press joining front rows via video-call, a number of new trends have exploded taking fashion in a new creative and surreal direction. While the shows at New York, London, Milan and Paris may have been audience-free, there is still plenty to look at and discuss. Below, we round up the highlights from the autumn/winter 2021 shows. LOUIS VUITTON The Louis Vuitton AW21 collection was unveiled with a runway show which was...

Spring Summer 2021 Review

November 6, 2020

2020 has been an unprecedented year with the effects of Covid-19 rippling around the world and disrupting every industry - including fashion. While the fashion industry since March has done well to move so quickly to the digital space with online fashion shows and presentations, Spring/Summer 2021 this last month bought with it some normality. Notably; a return of fashion weeks. Fashion weeks have long served as a showcasing of creativity and technological innovation, and judging by the fur looks seen on the runway this...

Fashion design and fur : My Way by Saskia Reggel

May 1, 2020

From the time I was very small I was interested in fashion. I had very strong opinions already about what I wanted to wear to kindergarten. In grade school I designed and sewed bags for a project, and even sold one to a teacher. In middle school we were required to do 2-week practical courses locally. I chose a furrier in town. The owner and staff were kind and let me create fur bags. The owner even displayed one of “my” bags in the store...

The Fashion and fur industry fight back against the Covid 19 virus

April 29, 2020

While the respiratory disease Covid-19 brings the world to a standstill, with a rising number of 2.646.576 confirmed cases and 184.374 deaths so far, the fashion industry is facing one of the hardest challenges in its history. Over the past months the world’s economy has been reduced to the basic needs; physical retail clothing stores have had to largely shut all over the globe for an undetermined period and same with factories leaving hundreds of thousands of employees out of jobs and locked down at...

Social distancing: how to get the best out of it

April 7, 2020

We are all passing through a difficult and confusing period and there are no strict clear guidelines on what to do with our daily personal life beside one recommendation that I hope is already clear for everyone - stay at home. Many of us are not working and days can become much longer when you don’t have anything productive to do, but whether we like it or not, there is not much we can do about it, so why not make the best out this...

The Fashion Influencers YOU need on your Insta-feed.

March 24, 2020

A wardrobe full of furs, but nothing to wear? Sometimes all you need is some style inspiration from fashion icons every now and then to give you those fresh pairs of eyes into what furs are hot on the Insta-feed, what the trendiest looks are, and who’s wearing them. We take a look at some ‘Instagirls’ who have proven to be certified fur fashionistas, and are inspiring our wardrobes. Chiara Ferragni Photo credit: Instagram: @chiaraferragni Chiara knows fashion, and has been serving us looks for...

FW20 – NYFW, MFW & PFW Gave Us Furs to Love and Look Back At.

March 3, 2020

Women’s Fashion Week did not dissatisfy in the slightest – from richly coloured furs, to prevailing silhouettes – Women’s Fashion Week gave us a whole heap of stupendous pieces to discover. Sustainability has been a major buzzword around the globe in present times, and to see voluminous amounts of fur being shown on the runway from major and upcoming designers verifies that fur is very much a part of the future of fashion. We take a look at some incredible fur pieces that were featured...

2020 – A New Decade for Fur. London, Milan, and Paris Fashion Week Men’s.

January 22, 2020

As we’ve entered a new decade, fur has instantly been strutting up and down major cities runway, revving up a magnificent start to 2020, giving us a glimpse of what more we can expect to come. Taking a look at furs that were shown in London, Milan and Paris Fashion Week Men’s, we discover what trends and styles were most prominent on the runways, setting the tone for what 2020 has in store for the fashion world in this new decade of bravura. We have...

The mantra for this NYE outfit guide? Go fur or go home.

December 10, 2019

The countdown to 2020 is well and truly on, which can only mean one thing… we’ve rounded up all of the finest, and furry-est New Year’s Eve outfits taking inspiration from celebrities to help you choose the right outfit, whether you’re celebrating with a quiet night in, or painting the town red, we’ve got your back. The mantra for this NYE outfit guide? Go fur or go home. Editor-in-chief of teen Vogue, Lindsay Peoples Wagner. There’s no denying that the infamous Saks Potts fur coat...

The Exceptionally Sumptuous Sustainable Gift Guide

December 3, 2019

With Christmas only a couple of weeks away, we wanted to give you the ultimate sustainable gift guide with the latest fur must-haves under your tree. Ranging from a plush YSL mink fur coat to a pair of Off-White Furry Zip tie pumps, you’ll be sure to find something for the festive season here. Fendi – Black leather sabots. Fendi is the brand which always keeps on giving. These leather and fur sabots are the perfect mix of texture and style for a refined yet...

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,’...

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...

Kelly Killoren Bensimon on second capsule outerwear collection with Pologeorgis.

October 29, 2019

Kelly Killoren Bensimon has launched her EnVille collection with Pologeorgis, her second collaboration with the brand. Getting into the luxury fashion game, we have all of the exclusives behind Kelly’s inspiration behind the collection, why fur was a coherent choice of material to use, how Kelly’s past experiences reflected her creative process and much more. Looking for inspiration on how to keep yourself warm this winter? Have a look at the EnVille collection below. THE HARPER REX RABBIT FUR PULLOVER IN NAVY What made you...

Inside hectic, but remarkable fashion weeks with Samantha De Reviziis.

October 15, 2019

Samantha De Reviziis Fashion weeks may have ended, and for our final SS20 instalment, we’ve caught up with sustainability expert in the fashion and luxury industry, Samantha De Reviziis to give us the run-down of what transpired. From the fashion shows and the latest trends to what will catch on and the most used colours, as well as upcoming cities & designers and the differences in fashion between each city, we have first-hand insight into the wonderful world of what happens during hectic, but remarkable...

Scandi Fashion at its best… newcomers Saks Potts & MKDT fur looks lift CPFW.

August 20, 2019

It isn’t be-known that fur has surpassed into more than a winter wardrobe. As usual, fur styles have elevated Copenhagen Fashion Week SS20’s looks into panache, poise and flair. The looks presented were mixed into a combination of vibrant and neutral colours to balance out each silhouette each creating its own distinctiveness and uniqueness to the tale that was being narrated down the runway. Saks Potts, a brand that has skyrocketed into the fashion world, needless to say featured exquisite furs, whilst ‘striving to become Scandinavia’s...

Most talked about trailer ‘Hustlers’, Fur, and J-Lo… how do these three relate?

August 13, 2019

It’s been on the tip of everybody’s tongues, it’s got the strongest female actors on board, 16 million views alone on a single Instagram trailer post from Jennifer Lopez. Hustlers has well and truly arrived and has triggered me into writing a piece (based on the trailer) on the inspiration of the film, and about the fur looks that Jennifer Lopez sports. J-Lo is a huge fur supporter and is renowned for wearing her big furs whether on tour, ‘papped’ on the streets, or on...

Vintage fur vs Plastic waste – Why Conor McGregor’s vintage furs conquer Kim Kardashian-West’s need for recreating plastic waste.

July 9, 2019

@kimkardashian @thenotoriousmma Reality television star Kim Kardashian-West recently revealed that she will be remaking all her natural fur garments into faux-fur replicas – a material which people are phasing out of everyday life. This is a clear rejection of natural fur in favour of synthetic alternatives by Kardashian-West. Contrastingly, MMA star Conor McGregor recently posted on his Instagram describing his two “handmade” Gucci mink coats as “iconic” “art pieces” which he will eventually pass down to his children and grandchildren. McGregor has decided to maintain...

MFWM + RESORT 2020 – Fur Wrapped Up

June 25, 2019

It has become progressively known that wearing fur in seasons other than winter has become a growing phenomenon. With so many fur options that brands can explore with in their collections, I have rounded up which brands have shown fur during RESORT 2020 and Milan Fashion Week Men’s Spring/Summer 2020. RESORT 2020: Fendi Resort 2020 has been the first collection designed exclusive of the late Karl Lagerfeld, and as an enormous presence was missing, Silvia Venturini Fendi made sure the runway show delivered. Finding inspiration...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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;...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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,...

REMIX Success Stories – Edda Gimnes

December 20, 2017

As we approach REMIX 2018, we wanted to showcase some of our recent success stories from the past few years of the REMIX Design Competition to present the opportunities available for potential applicants looking to participate in future shows. We have seen past finalists who participated in recent years go on to work for labels such as Dolce & Gabbana and also see their own brand present in the international fashion weeks. This week we take a look at our 2016 REMIX Bronze Winner Edda...

REMIX Success Stories – Morten Ussing

December 12, 2017

The younger generation is leading fur into a fresh-faced future

November 28, 2017

The younger generations are becoming increasingly vocal and daring with their outlook on all areas of life, and fashion is no exception. The booming popularity of streetwear with young people – epitomized by the dominating influences of brands such as Vetements and Balenciaga – shows that a desire to test, resist and push the boundaries of design continues to thrive. When it comes to fur, the sheer versatility of the fabric’s usage testifies to how conventional boundaries are being pushed to the sidelines. ...

REMIX Success Stories – Santiago Artemis

November 22, 2017

As we approach REMIX 2018, we wanted to showcase some of our recent success stories from the past few years of the REMIX Design Competition to present the opportunities available for potential applicants looking to participate in future shows. We have seen past finalists who participated in recent years go on to work for labels such as Dolce & Gabbana and also see their own brand present in the international fashion weeks. When did you first get into fashion and why? I started off...

Time to get festive! Here is our top fur picks for the festive season

November 21, 2017

Cold winter months might be a daunting prospect for some, but not for fur lovers. The more the temperature drops, the more the fur coat that has been hiding in the back of your wardrobe is begging to be worn. Though fur is becoming increasingly versatile across the seasons, it goes without saying that fur feels most at home in Winter. Not only that, but there is simply no other material as naturally insulating – and of course stylish – as fur when it...

Fur is the breath of fresh air in a world of fast fashion

November 7, 2017

Fur is leading the way on sustainability, serving as the ideal material to combat the more wasteful aspects of fashion that have been on the rise over the past few years. The ways in which we consume fashion have changed radically. Online shopping has become the main rival to the high street, the number of collections being squeezed into one year continues to increase and the time between design and final production continues to shrink. This has come to be known as fast fashion. Clothing...

Fur Accessories Are In Full Bloom

October 20, 2017

It used to be the case then when it came to fur in fashion, you would think of bulky coats and perhaps the occasional pair of daring earmuffs. Nowadays however, due to the continuing technical and creative innovation of fashion designers, fur is being made increasingly available in a variety of forms. Of course, you wouldn’t have expected to see big fur pieces in the form of coats or jackets in the recent Spring Summer catwalks. But major brands continued to incorporate the material...

Au revoir to the summer dreams

October 6, 2017

The Spring Summer Collection Fashion Weeks has come to a close with Paris signing off in the most Parisian way possible, its elegance and utopian sets certainly gave the fashion week season a send off it truly deserved. We went through the Paris shows to give you our quick round up on the best looks from the French capital and of course the furs that hit the catwalk. Dior Maria Grazia Chiuri crafted a story of female empowerment and youthful eccentricity on the runway addressing...

Milan Fashion Week SS18 Round Up

September 28, 2017

It was the fashion capital’s turn to showcase its Spring Summer collections and Milan certainly did not disappoint. The Italian city provided us an exploration of both the past and the future. Here is our quick recap on what you might have missed. Gucci There are few brands out there that can open a fashion week quite like Gucci. Its creative mastermind Alessandro Michele launched the week with a mixture of past and future elements gracing the illuminated purple runway that added an extra pop...

Youth initiatives setting a bright path for the future of fur

September 27, 2017

From animalistic animal rights activists to uninformed celebrity rhetoric, people might assume that the promotion of fur just involves fighting on the defensive. But this is not the case. In fact, the hundreds of years of craftsmanship that have made fur one of the most supreme materials today are not a thing of a past: we are still living in them now. The fur industry is passionate about inspiring the next generation to innovate and create with fur, as demonstrated by a range of initiatives...

Ex-reality TV star Lucy Watson is in need of a reality check when it comes to fur

September 20, 2017

Lucy Watson made a name for herself by starring on the hit reality TV show Made in Chelsea. Now - years after leaving the show - she has re-taken a position in front of the camera lens, only this time, it’s for an animal rights group named Surge. Heard of them? Neither had we. With a mere eight thousand likes on their Facebook page, Surge claims to approach animal rights activism “through well-orchestrated demonstrations, outreach events, stunts, films and online campaigns with a focus on...

Mikkel Ostergaard Schou

September 12, 2017

The Visionaries Denmark: The Furrier “The person that is marked by foresight and imagination.” The crowds often think that visionaries have turned their backs on them. But, in fact, the visionaries have turned their faces to the future in search of better things to come. They share the light with others and teach us how to dream. In this collection, we have had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the crafters, designers and people from the fur trade that continue to innovate...

Morten Ussing launched a new collection with Chinese brand LIU DU

September 7, 2017

On Sep 2nd, 2017, the Chinese fur brand "LIU DU" collaborated with Danish designer Morten Ussing to launch a new collection named Return to true self. The event was held at the Peninsula Beijing Hotel, as an extraordinary landmark, it houses over 30 world famous luxury brands, such as Chanel, Versace, Bulgari, Dolce & Gabbana, and more. The Asian flagship store of LIU DU was also here. Many celebrities were present the event, including Ms. Tao Hong, the famous international actress. Morten Ussing, graduated from...

Fur epitomises the crossover between fashion and function

August 16, 2017

The recent Louis Vuitton X Supreme collaboration, as well as the infamous ‘Balenciaga IKEA’ bag (featured below), is an example of fashion re-contextualising the everyday and the ‘street’ with couture execution. Both come with hefty price tags, but they also share the goal of proving that fashion can be aesthetically accessible to all, and that the gap between high and low styles can be bridged. Source: Evening Standard Inuit Family: Image Source Fur should be thought of in the same way: it is not a...

Fur is flexing its muscles again and proving its worth in modern menswear

August 9, 2017

Rewind to the end of the eighteenth century and you’ll come across a historical phenomenon known as the Great Male Renunciation. This saw menswear turn its back to brilliant and refined forms, leaving the fashion of adornment and beauty to women’s wear. The post-Renunciation era of style that we live in has made it difficult for fur to keep a popular hold of men’s fashion in the same way that it has of women’s. In 2015, only 5% of fur clothing sold in the US...

Celebrities believe in the beauty of fur more than flashy PR campaigns

August 1, 2017

Clutching a baby kangaroo and wearing a faux-fur coat, the world’s highest paid supermodel Gisele Bündchen will appear on the cover of next month’s Vogue Paris. The edition is dedicated to eco fashion and promoting fake fur. That’s right, the magazine that put Luna Bijl in Gucci’s pink fox fur on last August’s cover is going faux. The publicity will no doubt inject a bit of much-needed glamour into the anti-fur effort. But in this case, glamour means something very different from an accurate message...

Viewers turn a blind eye to fur in fiction when it’s fashionable

July 26, 2017

If Game of Thrones’ Jon Snow knows anything, it’s that winter is coming. He’s got an impressive wardrobe of fur cloaks, coats and garments to prove it, and isn’t the only one to have flashed a striking piece of fur from time to time on our screens. Some of our favourite characters in television and film have been wrapping up for years, ranging from Miranda Priestly’s knee-length red fur coat in The Devil Wears Prada, to the knit fur wrap Carrie Bradshaw wears in Sex...

Fendi rises to the occasion yet again

July 14, 2017

“Haute Couture is a mass of whispered secrets. Rare are those who have the privilege of passing them on”. – Yves Saint Laurent If there was going to be one show to close Paris Couture week, it was most certainly going to be Fendi’s Haute Furrore showpiece. One year after walking on water in Rome, Karl Lagerfeld returned to Paris with a high fur collection with wonderful garden tunes. The Italian brand’s collection paid tribute to nature and the world of flowers. Lagerfeld certainly didn’t...

Fur and shearling make their mark across RTW AW2017

March 13, 2017

Fur and shearling once again took centre stage across all four leading AW17 fashion weeks, with an estimated 67% of collections overall featuring the natural materials. This compares with last year’s AW collections when fur was seen in around 70% of all collections. Fur use is holding up despite pressure from animal rights organisations. From the oversized 70s throwback coats of Marc Jacobs to the soft longline pieces from Ryan Roche, New York Fashion Week saw 90 of 146 designers (62%) craft beautiful fur pieces....

Hong Kong Fur Gala 2017 皮草之夜

February 24, 2017

Summary of Designers Exhibiting at the 2017 HKFF. Click above to see the slideshow. (16 February - Hong Kong) The Hong Kong International Fur & Fashion Fair 16 to 18 February, an annual highlight on the fashion calendar, kicked off today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. An exceptionally all-rounded range of exhibits, ranging from raw materials to fur apparel and accessories were in the limelight. The total exhibition space reached 30,000 square metres to congregate over 210 local and overseas exhibitors from...

Q & A with Ninx from Bewitched, Wiltshire UK

February 21, 2017

Ninx Flanagan, Furrier and Owner Bewitched Ltd. Facebook: facebook.com/bewitched.couture Instagram: @bewitched_couture Online shop: www.bewitchedltd.com Location: Workshop and Show room in Wiltshire, West of London. Hello Ninx: It’s a pleasure to interview you for We Are Fur. Hi, thank you for asking me. How did you get into the fur industry? I always loved fur and have fond memories of my parents going to dinner parties and taking my sister and I, when we were very little, in sleeping bags and laying us down with...

Riccardo Tisci, Creative Director of Givenchy Moves On

February 8, 2017

Riccardo Tisci, exited the French fashion house Givenchy in January 2017 after a 12 year tenure in which he revitalised the brand after the 1995 retirement of founder Hubert de Givenchy .Tisci’s departure was revealed in an exclusive story covered by WWD. His last collections for Givenchy include fall men’s and spring couture exhibited at the National Library of France in Paris on Jan 20. Givenchy is coordinating the production of Tisci’s custom designs for a roster of celebs to appear at the Grammy Awards...

MILAN Mens Fashion Week Catwalk Report: Our Top 5

January 20, 2017

13 January Ermenegildo Zegna: Milan’s Fashion Week Menswear started with a surfeit of examples of the new trends for this FW17. The fashionistas continued to see athleisure attires and beautiful outfits that mixed cropped pants and fitted sweaters for FW17 as seen on the runways at Ports 1961 with their heavily embellished sweatshirt and Ermenegildo Zegna with its stitched padded jacket. The brand’s first ever overall artistic director, Alessandro Sartori, established a whole collection based on the continuing casualization of menswear. Sartori’s visual declaration to the...

LONDON Mens Fashion Week Catwalk Report (Part 2)

January 12, 2017

08 January Grace Wales Bonner: Directly from the South-East of London, Wales Bonner pursued to turn the average into something astonishing with street-wear raised to new and exhilarating apices. Wales talked about the sentiment behind this collection and this emotion could be felt in every aspect of the show: the inspiring display of clothes, the miscellany of those who walked in this new story that talks about a young generation full of variations, backgrounds and cultures from all around the world. In a choreographic...

LONDON Mens Fashion Week Catwalk Report (Part 1)

January 11, 2017

06 January 2017 Bobby Abley: Securely established and straightaway recognisable the unstoppable force of the Bobby Abley show continued to surprise us with its inimitable charm, waggishness and humour, blending yearning and light-hearted imagery with a contemporary menswear design. Pop culture (splashing Disney cartoon characters, Louis Vuitton-style logos and Muppet-like fur), a favourite theme of Bobby Abley’s inspiration has given way this catwalk to a memory that affected his childhood and those of his generation: the kids action cartoon Mighty Morphing Power Rangers, from 1993....

The 2017 Hong Kong International Fur & Fashion Fair

December 16, 2016

Hong Kong – the world’s largest fur exporter and fur trade centre Hong Kong has long been known as one of the biggest garment exporters in the world, yet many may not realise that this cosmopolitan in South East Asia also claims the globe’s largest fur exporter and fur trading centre! With decades of experience and expertise in fur production and exports, Hong Kong furriers are today shipping their stylish fur accessories and apparel to different corners in the world, gracing the racks of reputable...

The Book of Beasts: Chapter 8 (Final)

December 15, 2016

The Bear: —From Pliny the Elder [1st century CE] (Natural History, Book 8, 54): “Bears mate at the beginning of winter, after which the male and female retire to separate caves. The cubs are born thirty days later, in a litter of no more than five. Newborn cubs are a shapeless lump of white flesh, with no eyes or hair, though the claws are visible. The mother bear gradually licks her cubs into their proper shape, and keeps them warm by hugging them to...

Wild and Woolly: Another Reason to Love New York

December 14, 2016

“Listen to the voice of nature, for it holds treasures for you.” - Native North American Saying. Called “the accessory of the season” by The Observer, Nina Cheng’s beautiful fur smartphone cases have brought back to the paths of the trendsetters and fashionistas the tradition and craftsmanship of our industry.We splash out hundreds of pounds on a new smartphone, it would be wild not to spend a little more in order to make sure it doesn’t get scratched or broken. But Chen’s work goes...

What’s Up, Canada Goose?

December 12, 2016

Attention shoppers! Don't mind that violent extremist to your left threatening everyone in the store. The latest tactic from animal rights activists equates the use of coyote to dog fur. "STOP WEARING THAT DOG!" They scream. The protests started with the opening of the brick and mortar store in SoHo, New York City in November 2016. I saw footage online with activists inside the stores picketing sales of coats to customers. How illegal is that? Please don't harass me at the register. Canada Goose rightfully...

The Book of Beasts: Chapter 7

December 8, 2016

The Salamander: —From Isidore of Seville [7th century CE] (Etymologies, Book 12, 4:36): “The salamander alone of animals puts out fires; it can live in fire without pain and without being burned. Of all the venomous animals its strength is the greatest because it kills many at once. If it crawls into a tree it poisons all of the fruit, and anyone who eats the fruit will die; if it falls in a well it poisons the water so that any who drink it...

The Book of Beasts: Chapter 6

December 2, 2016

The Unicorn: —From Isidore of Seville [7th century CE] (Etymologies, Book 12, 2:12-13): “The unicorn is fierce, strong and swift, and no hunter can catch it. To tame the beast so it can be captured, a virgin girl is placed in its path. The unicorn, seeing the maiden, comes to her and puts its head in her lap and falls asleep. The hunters can then easily capture or kill it.” Shiatzy Chen’s collection for AW16 proved that strength and power also lies on the...

NAFA Releases FRONTROW Magazine FW2016

November 25, 2016

The second issue of FrontRow Magazine is out for distribution Editor Carlotta Pellizzari introduces the Fall Winter 2016 edition with a quick summary. First, she mentions the collaboration between three luxury designers including Gianfranco Ferré Furs and NAFA that was exhibited at MiFur in Milan. She goes on to discuss the cover story about Fendi - the profile behind the brand, an interview with Pietro Beccari, Fendi CEO discussing the immensely successful show at the Trevi Fountain in Rome. NAFA's Vision 2020 is introduced as...

The Book of Beasts: Chapter 5

November 24, 2016

The Griffin: —From Bartholomaeus Anglicus [13th century CE] (De proprietatibus rerum, book 18): “The griffin is a beast with wings, and is four footed: and breedeth in the mountains Hyperborean, and is like to the lion in all the parts of the body, and to the eagle only in the head and wings. And griffins keep the mountains in which be gems and precious stones, and suffer them not to be taken from thence.” The spirit of Britain: the chaos, the passion, the hope,...

Stop Saying Fur Is Only for Fashion

November 22, 2016

A Message from Alice in Furs on the Canadian Blog Truth About Fur One of the arguments I hear over and over again is that fur is wrong because we are killing animals “for fashion”. Fur’s main purpose is not for fashion and I think it is time to set the record straight about why the majority of us wear fur. Defined as “A popular or the latest style of clothing, hair, decoration, or behavior” (Oxford Dictionary), fashion is constantly changing. When someone buys something...

The Book of Beasts: Chapter 4

November 17, 2016

The Turtledove: —From Guillaume le Clerc Bestiaire: “Now I must tell you of another bird which is courteous and beautiful, and which loves much and is much loved. This is the turtledove. The male and the female are always together in mountain or in desert, and if perchance the female loses her companion never more will she cease to mourn for him, never more will she sit upon green branch or leaf. Nothing in the world can induce her to take another mate, but...

The Book of Beasts: Chapter 3

November 11, 2016

The Beaver: —From The Aberdeen Bestiary: “In Pontus is a manner kind of beasts, that dwelleth now in land and now in water, and maketh houses and dens arrayed with wonder craft in the brinks of rivers and of waters. For these beasts live together in flocks, and love beasts of the same kind, and come together and cut rods and sticks with their teeth, and bring them home to their dens in a wonder wise, for they lay one of them upright on the...

The Book of Beasts: Chapter 2

October 31, 2016

The Phoenix: —From The Aberdeen Bestiary: “When its time is come, it enters the covering and dies. From the fluid of its flesh a worm arises and gradually grows to maturity; when the appropriate time has come, it acquires wings to fly, and regains its previous appearance and form. Let this bird teach us, therefore, by its own example to believe in the resurrection of the body; lacking both an example to follow and any sense of reason, it reinvests itself with the very signs...

The Book of Beasts: Chapter 1

October 19, 2016

"When in doubt, follow the senses of beasts." —F.T. McKinstry Animals had been there from the start, even before Adam was created. So for the educated men and women who studied their form, their characters, and their doings, these little pockets of intelligence running across the face of the earth, swimming in the depths of the ocean, and rising in the heavens, were constantly revealing God’s secrets. This interest began in medieval times. Animals extended from the real relationships that man had with them in...

Fendi Bags Are The Face For Fall Winter 2016

August 9, 2016

There is a new ‘face’ in town this Fall Winter 2016, thanks to Fendi. The brand that brought us the quirky and coveted bag bugs has something new and cute to join your bag collection.The new ‘faces’ collection (Inspired by the millennia generation emojis and emoticons) cleverly uses hardware to create different face motifs on their new colour block bag designs. Complimented by bold colours, they achieve a very graphic appeal and most importantly, looking exceptionally Instagram friendly. And since kitschy is the hot trend now, the more...

Ralph Rucci: Fur as Art, Art as Life.

August 3, 2016

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” —Edgar Degas In an interview with Ike Ude, Ralph Rucci was asked: “What is fabric to you?” He replied: “It’s life, it’s everything, it’s essential”. He declared himself against synthetic fabrics, as these do not have the qualities that his clothes need to have. He also talked about his concern of the small amount of sources of natural fabrics or materials because of the demand, quantity and price. He still uses “extraordinary synthetic...

Fur Spotlight: A Close-Up of Haute Couture Paris AW 2016 – 2017 PT. 2

August 1, 2016

Alexandre Vauthier Starting as an assistant for Thierry Mugler Couture, Alexandre Vauthier later moved on to Jean Paul Gaultier as head designer for eight years. In 2009, he had his first fashion show in Paris. Since then, Christian Louboutin has designed the shoes for his shows. From 2011 to 2014 Vauthier was a guest member of the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture. Since December 2014 he is an official member enabling his fashion house to use the term “haute couture.” Alexandre Vauthier takes camouflage...

Sander Lak: The Beauty of Eclecticism and a Touch of Fur

August 1, 2016

“The voice of beauty speaks softly; it creeps only into the most fully awakened souls.” -Friedrich Nietzsche Psychology describes the term eclectic as the approach that takes formulas and techniques from different theories to create an integrated style. And in some ways, it describes quite accurately Sander Lak’s work. Sander Lak is a theorist; and his theories are based on his personal journey through London’s Central Saint Martins, working for the likes of Marc Jacobs, Phillip Lim and Christophe Decarnin, before taking over as head...

Fur Spotlight: A Close-Up of Haute Couture Paris AW 2016 pt. 1

July 29, 2016

Haute Couture Fur Francesco Scognamiglio “I knew it was my dream since the beginning,” -said Francesco Scognamiglio of his invitation from the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to be a guest member and open the Haute Couture week in the Ville Lumière. He illustrates further how his dream began as a 19 year old tailor in Naples transcending him into a present year full of gold thread hand-embroidered rococo, luxury black minks and stoles, and of course naturally strikingly women in beautiful hotels. Francesco...

FUR NEWS: Style Authority Update with NAFA at MiFur, Milan

July 27, 2016

MiFur Milan is an annual trade show consisting of 87 Italian exhibitors, 75 foreign exhibitors presenting in four thematic areas while holding a special area for international buyers across the entire supply chain. Buyers came from countries including Russia, Korea, Eastern Europe, Korea, China, America and Europe. The event was held this year on March 2-5, 2016 and is scheduled for February 24-27 2017. The design trend at MiFur leaned toward cashmere, nylon and down fabrics mixed with quality Sable, Lynx, and sheared fur. Fur...