Fashion Archives • We Are Fur

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...

An Enquiring Mind: Manolo Blahnik

July 19, 2019

A treasure chest of art and sculptures, the Wallace Collection, once a source of inspiration to Manolo Blahnik, now showcases his uncompromising designs in the splendid grandiosity they deserve. Manolo Blahnik is an artist and icon in the world of shoe design. Originating from Santa Cruz de la Palma, in the Canary Islands, Spain, Blahnik dreamt of fashion, so after attending boarding school in Switzerland, studying Politics and Law at the University of Geneva, then Literature and Architecture, Blahnik got his degree and move to Paris...

Mary Quant: Miniskirts to Megabrand

July 11, 2019

Unlike the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition – an exploration of one of couture’s greatest designers – as I navigate the Mary Quant exhibition also housed at the iconic Victoria and Albert museum (V&A), it becomes apparent that on display is a total rejection of Parisian couture and everything the fashion elite represented. Chronicling Quant’s twenty-year heyday and rebellion between 1955 and 1975, this exhibition showcases a crusade for teenage and young women’s social and sexual emancipation through fashion, re-defining the youth-led spirit of 1960’s...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Christian Dior, the creator of the indivisible whole

December 8, 2017

“Women, with their unfailing instinct, must have understood that I dreamed not only of making them more beautiful, but also happier. Their favour was my reward”. – Christian Dior Click here for a sneak peek of the Guru's visit! Every beginning is messy… and so is the Guru’s brain. But finally, here it is! I have been selecting the best of the images from the exhibition extraordinaire in Musee des arts decoratifs in Paris: Christian Dior, Designer of dreams. This woman was for several days...

The Fur Guru interviews Remix finalist Nicolas Lecourt Mansion

November 30, 2017

“The goal is to make your voice really loud”. – Nicolas Lecourt Mansion Dearest readers! The Fur Guru is back from the French capital and she has so much material to share with you that she's trying to get organised really quickly in order to attempt to make you feel and enjoy all the amazing and beautiful things she found in it in her following posts. Oh yes! From delicious, heart-warming food and wine in cozy little corners in Montmatre to exhuberant beauty from the...

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...

Sustainable design: When words are no longer enough

October 20, 2017

“Buy less, choose well”. – Vivienne Westwood The Fur Guru is going on holidays (Yaaaas!). And in her research of exotic lands to be discovered she bumped into an article entitled “Sustainability just got sexy”… sexy? I would call it fundamental or a matter of urgency but I guess this approach didn’t fit with the promise of the writer to find the trendiest paradise for the millennial market. Images of stylish escapes in the “greenest” hotels filled me with envy (quite frankly) but also with...

The real power of anecdotes

October 13, 2017

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter”. – Martin Luther King, , I have a dream, August 28th, 1963. The Guru believes politics and religion are daring topics. It might be because she comes from an extremely religious family. Or because she has grown up with a strongly political sister who slaps her in the face with weekly reality updates about all sort of social and political misfortunes in the world. Don’t misinterpret the writer of this post;...

The journey is on!

September 29, 2017

“I am part of all that I have met”. – Alfred Tennyson, The Complete Poetical Works of Tennyson It is called “the epitome of scandi cool”. And now I believe it. Copenhagen was a revelation as, while researching about it, was bombarded by pictures and blogs talking of this amazing place but only by visiting it you become aware of the real feel of this enchanting city. The Guru believes that the phrase from Anna Sewell in Black Beauty could accurately describe the mood of...

Reconstructing and Reinventing in Copenhagen

September 22, 2017

“Rise stronger, reconstruct – Requiem, Lamb of God Apologies for the delay; this Guru has been quite busy. You know she loves to write but before writing everyone needs to know exactly what about. And these past weeks have been eventful… So eventful that she will be forced to split the news by bits. And she will start with the highlight of the month: her visit to Copenhagen. This place is made for the lovers of beauty, of good company, of creativity and innate coolness...

About the real, good things in life.

August 25, 2017

“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” – John Keats, Endymion: A Poetic Romance Last week, the Guru introduced you to Wang Yutao and his refreshing approach to life and fashion. All this love for the small and big things in our daily life existence were so revitalizing and uplifting that she couldn’t get enough. She got you the answers to some of the questions that popped out of her head when looking at Mr Wang’s collections but, more importantly, at his latest work...

The magic of the quotidian with Wang Yutao

August 18, 2017

“Discovery consists of looking at the same thing as everyone else and thinking something different.” – Albert Szent- Gyorgy Not that long ago, the Fur Guru heard of this man: a designer that finds inspiration in the ordinary life and with it, re-invents the world around him and creates a much better place to be. He relies on human introspection, heritage, simplicity, nature, peace and enjoyment. All this without forgetting the purpose of fashion: understand what people really need. His name? Wang Yutao. This lover...

Balenciaga: The Master of Shape

July 28, 2017

“Haute couture is like an orchestra, for which only Balenciaga is the conducter. The rest of us are just musicians, following the directions that he gives us” – Christian Dior London couldn’t get more sophisticated than this my darlings! Balenciaga is in town. At the heart of this city, the Victoria & Albert Museum has set an exhibition that has encouraged all fashionistas, researchers and members of the public to wait for weeks just to have the pleasure of seeing closely some of the creations...

FURLab and their search for democratic design

July 7, 2017

“What’s not to like about making affordable, desirable, sustainable pieces that reach many people? That is the design dream.” – Elsa Crawford, ILSE Studio Hello beautiful people. The Guru is back and full of updates and gossip about her trip, hurray! For those who still haven’t started following me in Instagram @furgurusnaps (oh, oh…) and you didn’t enjoy the beautiful snaps I got from my visit to the Dutch low lands, don’t despair. I brought more images and amazing news from one of the most...

Fur Summer Accessories: From Bland to Grand

June 23, 2017

“The Devil is in the details, but so is salvation.” – Hyman G. Rickover Finally! (Yes I know, I know). Here is the awaited list of accessories that have been tempting us to spend that little extra to style our outfit every day this Spring/ Summer season. The Guru has discovered (thanks to all her wonderful Instagram followers) little jewels that will leave you wondering how you have survived the past years without them. Some of them are new designers and some of them are...

About Werewolves and Guilty Pleasures

May 26, 2017

“Rebellion cannot exist without the feeling that somewhere, in some way, you are justified.” – Albert Camus. There are quite a few things the Fur Guru enjoys but one of the most delightful is to listen about myths and very old stories of how we have justified our “naughty” side throughout history. Personally, since early years, I have been of the naughty bunch: trying new things, questioning my parents when I wasn’t allowed (bless them!) and pushing boundaries were some of my preferred activities in...

Jesus Lorenzo: Some medicine for the gloomy days (and hearts)

May 19, 2017

“Elegance is elimination.” – ― Cristobal Balenciaga. Lately, this Guru has been out and about around London: enjoying the city and all the events that have been occurring and that this fashion and lifestyle lover thought would be relevant to share with you. Today is different, the city is wet and the Guru is a bit run out because of lack of sleep (perks of motherhood) and feels a tiny bit melancholic. To help with the lack of sleep, a good coffee and to help...

People, get ready: FUR NOW Campaign 2017/18

May 12, 2017

“Fashion is the armour to survive the reality of everyday life.” – ― Bill Cunningham. Morning my darlings! This Guru is full of excitement as the shooting and filming for FUR NOW 2017/18 Campaign is approaching quickly. Everyone is excited just to look at the pieces that so many of our members have generously sent from all around the world to be showcased. I wish my eyes could take pictures of the detail, the vibrant colours and patterns… Every single one of them reflects a...

Hockley London: The Art of Re-Invention

April 25, 2017

“Fawkes is a phoenix, Harry. Phoenixes burst into flame when it is time for them to die and are reborn from the ashes.” – J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Hello beautiful people! The Guru just came back from her (well-deserved) holidays and appears to continue with this self-indulgent attitude. Oh, my dearest readers and there’s no better way to lengthen this mood than by paying a visit to one of the best known and beautiful shops in London: Hockley. The Fur...

The Fur Guru: Ernesto Hinojosa, the Aztec Extravaganza

March 28, 2017

“Firstly, you will walk all the ways of this world before you find yourself.” – Aztec Proverb. Mexican people are well known for their eclectic and sort of crazy approach to life. You didn’t know that? Well, now you know (the Guru said it!). And just to give you a few examples of this endowed country you can always have a look at their folk art. Alebrijes are chimerical creatures created (originally) by Pedro Linares in Mexico City in the 30’s. They were paper mache...

The Fur Guru: REMIX 2017 Show (Part 2)

March 6, 2017

“Creativity takes courage.” Henry Matisse. Buongiorno my dear followers! Yes, in case you didn’t notice, I’m still in my Italian mood. Lets not lose the momentum people! I told you last week there were still great things to come. So, I thought I would continue talking a little bit more about the rest of the highly creative group that accompanied the Fur Guru in her travels in Milan’s Fashion Week. Ladies first… Ólöf is the typical Icelander: relaxed, happy and cool (I wish you could...

The Fur Guru: REMIX 2017 Show (Part 1)

February 28, 2017

“Everybody’s youth is a dream, a form of chemical madness.” F. Scott Fitzgerald. Ciao tutti! Come va? Ha, got you! Sorry, my body is here but my brain is still running on good espresso and the most inspiring catwalks from Milan’s Fashion Week. My dearest readers; so many talented young designers surrounded this Guru! They all reminded me of the far away years of my youth when I was full of dreams, good ideas and stamina. To make my stay more idyllic, I was given...

The Fur Guru: MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH ICELAND

February 10, 2017

It's your time, It's your day It's never too late to change lanes How's your life? How's your place? Was it where you wanted your head to lay?” Rewind, Sterophonics Am I the only one or is there a time in the life of everyone when you just have to stop? Oh dear! I don’t even want to talk about this but… it might be age. Well, whatever it is, the fact is that it happens. So please my faithful readers, just stop whenever you...

The Fur Guru: REMIX 2017 FINALISTS: An All- Star Team

February 3, 2017

“Got it from the top, it's nothing you can stop Lord, you know they made a fine connection.” —They Love Each Other, Grateful Dead I have always thought that a connection is a difficult thing to find. You have to be extremely lucky to find a person or a group of people in the same place and time that gets you immediately. No explanation required; in the moment you are together, amazing stuff happens. It was while watching a Grateful Dead documentary that I...

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....

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...

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 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,...

Smoda: The Spanish Fashion Love Affair with Fur Returns

November 2, 2016

“At the heart of all great art is an essential melancholy.” -Federico Garcia Lorca Passionate by nature and passionate by choice, Spain is a country that has gifted the world with invaluable endowments like the candorous words of Garcia Lorca, the playful art of Picasso and the tantalizing insanity of Dali. It is a country that has channeled its past and history through an inexhaustible creative force. All the originators of this force have reflected through art, design and fashion a personal vision of 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...

Resort 2017 Review Part 2

June 16, 2016

Sally La Pointe: We continue our review of the recent Resort 2017 shows with Sally La Pointe's show at her Chinatown studio. While we appreciate the trend in collections presentations that is moving towards the buy now-wear now fashion model, we also appreciate season-less dressing altogether. Today’s modern woman has one closet and it rotates around the clock, around the year, and cycles in a few trend pieces to keep it fresh. What Sally LaPointe does so well is to create timeless pieces with mix...

Alfredo Martinez wins Tequila Centenario Award Fashion Week Mexico

May 27, 2016

This year Alfredo presents the Fall/Winter 2016-2017 collection using fur throughout his designs. He accessorises many dresses with fur stoles as well as incorporating mink into midi dresses. He shows an absolutely over the top shaggy gold fur coat. Alfredo Martinez Fall/Winter is formal, for a woman who takes charge. She wears platform patent leather boots and high heels. She likes dark solid colours especially black, navy blue, cherry, and gold for her dresses as worn separately or in combinations within thick horizontal stripes. His...

Fashion week hits Paris

March 3, 2016

Paris Fur Fashion As Paris Fashion Week kicks off we take a look at some of the collections and pick out a few of our favourites. It seems fur is being used in a variety of ways, adding grace, glamour and fun to a number of garments. Anne Sofie Madsen The Anne Sofie Madsen collection portrayed a woman that is streetwise and ladylike, boyish and feminine all at the same time. Stemming from designs that spanned between fanciful fun and a thoughtful intricacy. Rochas The Rochas collection...

Gucci Already Steals Milan Fashion Week

February 25, 2016

Gucci Fur Gucci certainly like to put on a show, even before the first model walked out there was already drama. Prior to the event on the day, phones were buzzing endlessly with e-mails confirming that the show will be running at least an hour late. We presume that this was due to an important power luncheon that consisted of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Milanese Mayor Giuliano Pisapia running over. The irony of the meeting was supposedly done to kick off Milan fashion...

London Fashion Week comes to an end

February 24, 2016

Fur in London Fashion Week The last few days of London Fashion Week showed us an array of designs, varying from the more sophisticated to the more playful. Designers have incorporated fur into their collections, using different techniques and materials to create exciting pieces. AF Vandervorst The AF Vandervorst collection is one that never fails to surprise and this year they presented one of the most unpredictable and quirky designs on the catwalk. The use of edgy accessories and the eccentric portrayal of the models...