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

Resort Review 2017 part 1

June 14, 2016

With all of the big-name brands getting their cruise shows underway, we’d be remiss not to start trend forecasting and give our readers the lowdown on which styles to start seeking for the ultimate resort wardrobe. So, what’s on the docket for this year’s summer trends, as told by the most influential names in the fashion industry? We take a look at our favourite Resort 2017 shows over the last few weeks. Louis Vuitton: There was only one place to start and that was in...

Catching up with Remix finalists in Asia

June 13, 2016

It’s Fur Asia right now as we are hosting lectures across Seoul, Tokyo, Nanjing, and Hong Kong. The purpose of our lectures is to discuss opportunities with Fur Futures as well as types of fur as presented by Kopenhagen Furs, Saga Fur and North American Fur Association. We also recruit hundreds of new Fur Futures members for next year as well as catch up with those from the past. First stop was Tokyo where IFF gave a lecture, did some sightseeing and met the regional...

IFF Sponsoring Fur Futures Summer School 2016

June 10, 2016

Interested in a Career Working With Fur? The International Fur Federation is sponsoring applicants from outside Europe interested in the Fur Summer School 2016. The event, which is run by Fur Europe, takes place in Kastoria and Siatista, Greece from 23rd of August to 1st of September 2016. The course aims to foster relationships in the fur sector across the value chain. Fur Europe will select a mix of twenty-five designers, furriers, entrepreneurs and qualified applicants with an interest in fur. IFF will pay for...

Eurasia Members Take Part in Workshop

June 9, 2016

Students from Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan had the opportunity to visit a furrier workshop in Istanbul, Turkey. This Eurasia furrier workshop in Istanbul was held from 16-27 May. During these 2 weeks students from Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan had a wonderful opportunity to study fur with professionals at modern manufactories. Educational process included basic furrier skill training, fur grading, cutting, sewing and the use of modern technologies in designing and tailoring fur and leather garments. Every day from 10am to 5pm students mastered...

Fendi Roma: a 90 year retrospect

June 1, 2016

Due in Mid June, Fendi’s publication of Roma traces its origins as a small furrier and boutique in Rome to an international luxury fur frontrunner. Fendi’s roots trace back to 1925 from founder Edoardo and Adele Fendi continuing in operation as a family business for over 90 years. Silvia Venturini Fendi, current third generation creative director of accessories and menswear, says, “We are nearly ninety, we are very traditional, but we have a great sense of humor.” Since 1965, Karl Lagerfeld has been creative director...

Rising Label Jarret from Seoul

May 31, 2016

Jarret, a rising Korean label incorporates an asymmetric relationship between professionalism and the arts. Ji Youn Lee's cuts are contemporary with ragged edge stitches, sleeves that are longer than the arm, and furs bulging over slim figured models. Lee’s use of fur is simple almost as an accessory to the garment. In many looks for both New York and Seoul F/W 2016 fur is either used as patchwork, as misshaped sleeves, or in oversized stoles. North American Fur Auction published an article about their work...

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...

The Ride of the Valkyries -Kopenhagen Fur Shanghai

May 26, 2016

This year Shanghai fashion Week awarded Kopenhagen Fur with the best show for their use of traditional Viking regalia. The show was inspired by the heritage of the designer Jim Lyngvild who traced his roots to Vikings. Complete with swordfights, goblets of wine and a dinner fit for kings, the gladiator models wore gorgeous Nordic furs embellished with skull pendants, gold chains, gauntlets and jewelled crowns. Kopenhagen Fur and Jim Lyngvild paired up for the great event in April 2016. Shanghai Fashion Week is sponsored...

Checkerboard Mink by Karl

May 26, 2016

It’s summer, the weather is warm and fur accents add chic to any girl’s closet. Contrasting patterns, fur pom-poms and a pinch of an era long gone have made Fendi’s Resort collection something to talk about. A bohemian flavour palette creates a down to earth naturalness that just can’t be missed. Karl Lagerfield’s uses of ocean and aegean blue minks in a light throw over jacket are perfect for a summer evening out. Fendi decorates a shorter cut denim style jacket with long collar in...

Versace name Jonathan Akeroyd as new CEO

May 24, 2016

Jonathon Akeroyd is departing from Mcqueen – where he worked for 12 years, was revealed earlier this month when it was announced that he would be succeeded by Emmanuel Gintzburger, former retail and wholesale director at Yves Saint Laurent. “Jonathan brings a proven track record in building global brands, steering growth and driving strategic development. Jonathan Akeroyd’s industry expertise and vision will be key to advancing the next phase of Versace’s development,” said Donatella Versace, vice president and artistic director of Versace, in a statement....

Fur Fun In The Sun

May 20, 2016

With summer finally about to settle in, the transition of changing your wardrobe from winter clothes to garments that compliment can be a tricky period. Fashion mainly focuses on traditional ‘light’ fabrics such as cotton linen and silk. While you might expect to see fur predominately in autumn/winter collections, spring/summer catwalks have shown an increasing number of fur designs that can be worn in milder temperatures. Designers who have shown warm-weather, friendly fur trends include the likes of Christian Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Maison Margiela...

#Hungry—for a Crocodile Mink Biker Jacket Combo?

May 18, 2016

Phillip Plein Fur His brazen attitude is reflected on the runway. Is it possible to be brash, somewhat taboo, a bit explicit and somewhat classy all at once? Philipp Plein’s brand goes over the top with some of the latest jackets available for pre-order priced around €87,000. Rumours are that he’s not rich despite the Lamborghini Aventador, the Rolls-Royce Wraith and residences in Cannes, Lugano, and Manhattan. His doctor father gave him a €10,000 loan to build a simple interior design piece betwixt luxury product....

Inaugural Fur Futures Americas Programme Takes Place in Toronto

April 28, 2016

The inaugural Fur Futures Americas programme was held in Toronto April 6 – 7th to coincide with the NAFA auction. Eight young people, interested in pursuing a career in fur, were invited for a two day educational themed meetings on all aspects of the fur trade. As a part of the event, the young people had an opportunity to learn about mink farming by visiting a Toronto-area farm that is internationally revered for its high standards and for producing high quality pelts. Following the tour, there...

Fur Fashion Designer Shuffle

April 27, 2016

Fashion Designer Restructuring With the Fall shows completed, the Designer shuffle has begun. Fashion labels seek to refresh their brands with new visions and designers pursue new avenues to flex their creative muscles. Who is moving where and when and what does it all mean? Lanvin: Alber Ebaz - OUT; Bouchra Jarrar - IN For 14 years, Alber Ebaz has brought elegance and sophistication to Lanvin, yet from last October, Ebaz was driven out from the label. A bigger surprise after this news was that...

AW 16 Trends – Accessories

April 20, 2016

Fur Accessories With the blur of AW 2016’s RTW fashion week a distant memory, we can now focus our heads towards Spring and Summer. As we navigate that transition, it is important that we keep our multi-seasonal style on track to sophistication and this year it is all about the accessory. It is the finishing touches that complete an outfit. We will break down the looks to make the minor details the most effective of your outfit. The Original: First of all, you can never...

Fendi Will Bring Fur Back to Its Couture Runways

April 12, 2016

Fendi's 90th Birthday The Italian luxury brand Fendi will celebrate its 90th anniversary this year with a fur-heavy Haute Couture show in Rome on July 7th. According to WWD, the house said that this is "the best way to celebrate Fendi's 90-year anniversary, as it expresses our roots and DNA while transmitting daring, creativity and craftsmanship in furs." However, this is not the first time Karl Lagerfeld, the Fendi Creative Director has staged an Haute Couture 'fourrure' show though. The brand celebrated Lagerfeld's 50th anniversary as...

Yuko Koike Shortlisted for LVMH award

April 8, 2016

Yuko Koike for LVMH Prize The LVMH Prize has announced the 23 semifinalists in the running for its 2016. Spanning countries and ethnicities, this year is the prize's most diverse selection yet. One of those shortlisted for the prize which consists of a judging panel that includes Karl Lagerfeld is former REMIX finalist Yuko Koike. Yuko, who is shortlisted with her self titled brand 'Koike' has been shortlisted from over 1,000 applications and is in contention to making it to the final 8 where she...

Shoes Fur The Right Fit

March 30, 2016

Fur Shoes The right footwear can make or break any outfit. There are so many questions that rush through your head without a definitive answer like how do you dress up a casual look? How do you safely add colour and prints to a monochromatic look? Questions such as these and so many other reasons gives the impression that shoes are the foundation of any style. In some instances they are the beginning and the ending of a look. The recent AW 16 runways certainly...

Gucci’s Ad Campaign Features Fur Loafers

March 30, 2016

Gucci Ad Campaign While Alessandro Michele’s printed suits and gowns were certainly a highlight of Gucci’s spring 2016 campaign, the ad’s most delightful element was easily the peacocks he hired to commingle with the models. With a new campaign season rolling around, you might wonder how Michele could possibly top that, or at least evolve it. Well, the answer to this was obviously to include fashion flamingos. For its pre-fall ads, Gucci wrangled a flock of the birds around its scene that was presenting its...

Fur Takes Centre Stage Across RTW AW 16

March 15, 2016

Fur Fashion Fur and shearling made their mark across all four leading AW16 fashion weeks, with an estimated 70% of collections featuring the natural material overall. Considering that fur was also hugely prominent during the menswear AW16 collections earlier in the year, it is clear that both designers and consumers are enjoying using and wearing natural materials in greater numbers. From the eye-catching coats of BCBGMAXAZRIA and Michael Kors, to the subtle craftsmanship from Carolina Herrera, New York Fashion Week saw 91 of 156 designers...

Fur is trending in street style

March 3, 2016

Fur Street Style Trendsetters around the globe seem to be embracing fur on the streets. From fluffy fur coats in a rainbow of colours to fur stoles in a variety of styles to the more simple fur collars on coats and jackets, street style is beaming with diversity. Fur coats and jackets are being teamed up with jeans, skirts and dresses - versatility at its best, you’re not limited in any way when you opt for furry outwear. In fact statement outerwear is a trend you...

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...

Milan Fashion Week comes to an end

March 1, 2016

Fur: Milan Fashion Week As Milan Fashion Week comes to an end, we have a round up of some of our favourite designs. Collections varied from military themes to urban themes and to the more elegant and classy. Milan has showed us some great garments, a lot of which used fur in innovative ways. Ermanno Scervino The Ermanno Scervino collection took a new turn this year with its masculine elements, resulting in a modern and sleek feel. Military style coats were embellished with fur and colour...

Fendi creates waves on the catwalk

February 26, 2016

Fendi Fur Milan Fashion Week The Fendi show on day 2 of Milan Fashion Week Fall 2016 opened with Kendall Jenner in a fit and flare style coat, embellished with colourful fur. Featuring ¾ sleeves, allowing a peek of the embellished ensemble beneath. A Fendi fur filled occasion it was as Fendi did not disappoint on the creativity front. We saw sophistication and quirkiness all in one collection. The collection made great use of ruffles and waves. From thigh-high boots with ruffles decorating the top...

Fashion week hits Milan

February 25, 2016

Milan Fashion Week Fall 2016 As Milan fashion week kicks off we take a look at some of the collections and pick out a few of our favourites for you to check out and yes designers are using fur! Designers using Fur in their Collections Roberto Cavalli The Roberto Cavalli collection portrayed the 70s style and embraced the ‘’more is more’’ attitude. With what came across as a bohemian and Pagan inspiration the collection was a piece of art. Embellished denim, long scarves and flared...

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...

Fashion week hits London

February 22, 2016

Fashion Week 2016 London fashion week brings with it that "anything can happen" ambiance. The first three days have already shown us impeccable levels of creativity and precision. Fur has been used in a number of innovative ways in many collections and below are some of our favourites from the past few days. Eudon Choi Eudon Choi’s collection portrayed perfect silhouettes, from ankle slit trousers to blouses. Choi’s use of footwear for his collection was particularly distinctive, models were donning carmel coloured shoes with fur...

New York Fashion Week Days 5, 6 & 7

February 19, 2016

Days 5, 6 and 7 of New York Fashion week 2016 brought a sense of allure, grace and fun to the catwalk. Looks ranged from prim and polite to bold and dramatic. Fur was the perfect ally on the runway as its rich texture and visual appeal gave designers the perfect artistic medium to sharpen their message. Carolina Herrera Carolina Herrera's collection was an array of fragile fabrics in soft colours, making the garments even more admired. Her designs had an otherworldly eminence that almost made...

New York Fashion Week Days 3&4

February 18, 2016

Each year New York Fashion Week falls over Valentine’s Day and as the day to celebrate love, it makes perfect sense to honour fashion. On days 3 and 4 of New York Fashion Week 2016 we saw designers being more experimental and innovative with fur. More chances were taken with juxtapositions of materials, there was an integration of bold and surprising embellishments and different fur types were mixed to create interesting textures. Here are some of our favourite designers that were innovative with fur over the...

New York Fashion Week Days 1&2

February 17, 2016

New York Fashion Week, or NYFW Fall 2016- Winter 2017 as it’s now affectionately referred to, kicked off amidst in-depth conversations about the future of the fashion show concept. The impact of social media and the rise of fast fashion have changed consumer attitudes and many in the industry are questioning the value of the traditional runway show. The presentations this week have been watched closely, as much for the fashions on display as for the reactions and responses from the buyers, editors and other...

Talents Fashion Show 2016

February 11, 2016

15 designers of the Accademia Costume & Moda competed in the Talents 2016 Fashion Show at Via dello Scalo San Lorenzo on Saturday 30th January. The Talents 2016 candidates had been selected as early as last July with candidates creating womenswear, menswear and accessory collections. A jury panel of 13 evaluated the 15 collections and decided that first place would go to Ilaria Fiore for her collection ‘Magda’. Fiore was also presented with a Special Mentions Accessories Award. On the occasion of the second edition of...

Copenhagen Fashion Week 2016

February 11, 2016

Copenhagen Fashion Week 2016 was full of exciting new looks. With varying colours, materials, styling and textures the catwalk was vibrant and diverse. Designers portrayed an array of fur garments within their collections. From coats to stoles to gilets, fur was evidently present in a number of collections. Birger Christensen Malene Birger Maikel Tawadros Jesper Hovring Freya Dalsjoe

Gucci’s Fur Lined Loafers are in

February 3, 2016

Gucci’s fur-lined loafers first appeared on the runway a year ago and it seems they are continuing the momentum with the fall ’16 collection, in fact the loafers seem to have become a street style favourite. The shoes come in both a loafer and slide style. Not only does the fur detail keep you warm but it also adds to the quirkiness of the designs, which vary from pairs done in plaid to others that feature floral brocade. To read and see more please click here

Fur bursary Internship: Diana’s Story

February 1, 2016

The International Fur Federation had the pleasure of granting a fur bursary for Diana Agaian to partake in an internship in Ukraine to continue her progress in working with fur. Diana Agaian describes how Fur Futures bursary has helped her gain traction in the field of design. My name is Diana Agaian and I am a fashion designer working in Kyiv, Ukraine. I started creating collections immediately after my graduation from the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design. I started off working with basic...

Fur Futures Christmas Campaign Winner Christina Liana

January 28, 2016

The International Fur Federation held a Christmas campaign competition for Fur Futures members at the end of 2015 with a trip to Milan as the prize. Christina Liana from Greece won the competition and expressed to us her excitement "I am overwhelmed and astonished with this brilliant news." Christina Liana carries knowledge in both the scientific and design sector of fur. She comes from a family who have been in the fur Industry since 1920. As well as having her own fur accessories collection Christina...

Men Embrace Fur

January 28, 2016

Men's Fur Trends 2016 CEO Mark Oaten speaks of Men's fur trends 2016; "Admittedly the more whimsical animal prints and full fur garments might raise a few eyebrows, but all in all, more and more men are comfortable wearing fur, and it's a trend you can't ignore.” With an estimated 63% of designers incorporating fur into their AW16/17 menswear collections, it is clear that fur is the big trend for 2016. The designers embraced this trend and successfully portrayed that fur is not only for...

Hong Kong Displays Exciting Future for Fur

January 22, 2016

The Hong Kong Fur Federation (HKFF) presented its annual Fur Design competition presenting the opportunity for young, talented designers to get a first glimpse on what the future may hold for them in the fashion industry. A huge total of 486 submissions were made for the competition, yet the list had to be reduced to just 30 entries to compete for several honours including the “Best Sketch Award” and the “Commercial Award”. The influx of entries has certainly supported the increase in popularity for both...

Fur fashion is trending

January 19, 2016

Fur in Menswear Amongst a number of trends this season, fur is shining through. Amongst an array of trends selected by Vogue Italy from the 16/17 pre collections, Fur was described as the ‘real star of the season’! Fur in menswear has been trending on the catwalk and is being used in a number of ways. From small patches to full fledged fur coats, the fashion trend seems to be increasing and becoming more and more popular. Below are some images that we have captured...

Arctic Christmas Scenes Hide the Truth of the Inuit Struggle

December 11, 2015

"Every Christmas we're inundated with images of smiling polar bears and Santa and his elves happily putting toys together in his workshop in the Arctic Circle. But these images distract from the truth about the Arctic: it's an incredibly tough environment to actually live in, even more so when unnecessary trade barriers are put up by the uninformed and urbanised elite," said Mark Oaten. Seals are a classic example. Back in the 1970s, Greenpeace all but ended the international trade in sealskin - and as...

New Fur Summer School is held in Greece

September 14, 2015

Fur Europe and the Hellenic Fur Federation, along with sponsors Saga furs, Kopenhagen Fur, and Wanger Chinchilla, joined forces to create the Fur Summer School from Thursday 27th August until Saturday 5th September 2015. A small group of young animal technicians, furriers, designers, farmers, and others gathered in Kastoria for the first half of the fur summer school and then travelled to Siatista for the second part of the camp. Throughout those days the group were introduced to many key elements of the fur industry,...

Making a Case for the Fur Stole, a Versatile and Colourful Way to Wrap Up for AW15

September 1, 2015

With the AW15 season catwalks being awash with autumnal hues of oranges, maroons, emerald and olive greens and a base of chocolate browns – one wonders what the best way could be to filter this revamped mid 1970’s colour spectrum into our every day outfits. For those of us, and perhaps the majority, that tend to sway against versatile blacks and greys for the colder times of the year - this new mood could potentially become a bit of a sartorial challenge presenting the anecdotal fur stole....

Is no fur the right move for Hugo Boss?

July 22, 2015

In its 2014 Sustainability Report, fashion brand Hugo Boss said that it was planning to stop using farmed fur in its collections from Autumn/Winter 2016 onwards. According to Bernd Keller at the company, its sustainable corporate strategy should take precedence over the “fast and simple route to success”. Like many companies, it has realised that global consumers are demanding a more sustainable approach to business. I completely agree that sustainability should take precedence over short-term corporate goals and applaud Hugo Boss for thinking that way,...

Haute Couture 2015 trends

July 16, 2015

The Haute Couture 2015 shows did not disappoint the awaiting fashion crowds; from Elie Saab’s princess-worthy ball gowns, to Karl Lagerfeld’s two history-making shows – a celebrity endorsed casino scenario for Chanel and a full fur celebratory show for 50 years with Fendi. We rounded up all the trends as seen on the couture catwalk… Fur Florals for spring As ever, florals made a welcome addition to the trends at Haute Couture. From Christian Dior’s pointillist prints, to Versace’s floral crowns and the statement shoulder-length...

Youth Fur Creativity Summer School in Kastoria

June 12, 2015

In cooperation with Hellenic Fur Federation, Fur Europe is testing a pilot project named Fur Creativity Summer School that will take place from 27 August to 4 September in the towns Kastoria and Siatista, Greece. This pilot project, bringing young people from the entire fur value chain together, aims not only at promoting youth participation and involvement in the fur sector but also at identifying and empowering entrepreneurship for young people in Europe. Via this pilot, Fur Europe will test a new concept of a...

Laerke Koldskov talks about Danish designer Astrid Andersen

April 29, 2015

Danish designer Astrid Andersen is a rising star on the international fashion scene. Combining American inspired athletic and street wear with floral print, pink lace and fur she manages to create a street look that is new, provocative and fun meanwhile being luxurious. Astrid Andersen holds a MA in menswear from the prestigious Royal College of Art, where she finished in 2010, and a BA from Teko in Denmark. In 2010, she was nominated in VOGUE Talent 2010 as well as being a finalist in ITS...

Valerie Zimbal Designer and Farmer

April 28, 2015

Valerie Zimbal- most people in the fur industry would recognise Valerie name and associate her with Zimbal Minkery, a family operated mink farm that raises approximately 300,000 mink per year. Valerie Zimbal- most people in the fur industry would recognise Valerie name and associate her with Zimbal Minkery, a family operated mink farm that raises approximately 300,000 mink per year. But now, Valerie is making a name for herself with her mink designs. “I really like to ‘people watch’. Whenever I travel to new places,...

Exciting designer from Denmark Christian Helmer

April 28, 2015

Christian Helmer Petersen is one of the most exciting young designers to emerge from Denmark in recent years. "In my present position as a freelance designer, my collections always depend on the company I am making the collection for and who their costumers are. An important thing for me is to always be aware of my surroundings and I spend a lot time on blogs, to see what is happening around the world. Fairs like Premier Vision in Paris are also very important in my search...

Kelli Mcguinness is a BA Fashion Design graduate

April 28, 2015

Kelli Mcguinness is a BA Fashion Design graduate and womenswear designer specialising in knitwear mixed with a diverse use of woven fabrics. She is innovating ways of layering various techniques of textiles and experimenting with the use of colour and form. “My key style influences come from a variety of places,” says Kelli. “I enjoy people who are unique and express themselves through their style. I love layering and clashing colours, prints and textures, creating an aesthetically stimulating visual through your style. The person who...

Sophie Skach Viennese fashion designer

April 28, 2015

Sophie Skach is a London based Viennese fashion designer who, despite her youth, has already gained international credit for her talent. “My approach to fashion comes through drawing, so I suppose my first style moment was when I started drawing at the age of one. Since then, I naturally grew to love fashion and am dedicated to it.” At the age of 16, Sophie was commissioned to design an underwear collection for Skiny. Since then she has held internship positions at Swarovski as well as Geiger and developed knitwear collections...

Young designer Lucy Upsher Journey so far…

April 28, 2015

Lucy Upsher is a young designer and Fur Futures member who graduated from the University of Westminster in London with a BA(Hons) in Fashion Design. During her studies, she interned at Mary Katrantzou, Christopher Kane, Katie Eary, Jonathan Saunders and Louis Goldin and has most recently worked in a Junior Designer role at Roberto Cavalli in the Womenswear Print department. She says "My first ‘style-moment’ would have been around the Spice Girl era; most aspects of my life took inspiration from them at the time. At...

Fur Futures Member Rebecca Hermes

April 28, 2015

Rebecca Hermes recently graduated from the University of Westminster’s BA Fashion Design course with a fur-orientated collection inspired by Lindsay Lohan and her time at the Chateau Marmont Hotel in LA. "I also take inspiration from the work of Helmut Newton and Tom Ford, and the ‘90’s Supers’ like Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista and Kate Moss," said Rebecca. Rebecca Hermes previously worked at London furrier Hockley, learning how to use and work with skins. She has also spent time at Swiss...

Kelli McGuinness gets inspired at Saga Furs’ Design Centre

April 28, 2015

Kelli McGuinness is a knitwear designer and Fur Futures member from the UK, who has a strong interest in fur. Here, she tells us all about her trip to Saga Furs' Design Centre in Copenhagen. As a young designer I am always looking for new inspiration and ways of developing and building on my skills. After visiting the Saga Furs exhibition stand at MIFUR last year, I was blown away by the creativity and diversity of their design samples. The bright colours and intricate techniques...

Kelli Mcguinness Attends Fur MasterClass Supreme Workshop

April 28, 2015

Kelli McGuinness, Fur Futures member reports on her experience at the Fur MasterClass Supreme workshop at Centria University in Finland. I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the Masterclass Supreme Fur workshop at Centria University in Finland as a young designer with a special interest in fur and leather. This course is an intense 3-day workshop aimed to expand the minds of creatives into expressing their individuality through working with diverse and challenging fabrics. On the first day of the Fur MasterClass Supreme...

New York Blogger – Stella

April 24, 2015

Fashion Blogger Stella writes her blog from the heart of New York. "My first fashion memory was when I was 5 and I thought it would be fun to entertain my mom and her friends who were over for lunch with a fabulous fashion show, featuring me the model, stylist, and fashion show producer. It is no wonder that I grew up to be a fashionista," she explains. She also writes for various online magazines and is a PR / Marketing / Events Director who...

Meet influential fashion blogger Lady Fur

April 24, 2015

Italian Fashion Designer, Samantha De Reviziis turned her passion for fur into a successful second career as a professional blogger with ‘We Love Fur’. As ‘Lady Fur’, Samantha is the first independent fur blogger on the web and is involved in a number of on and offline fashion projects and collaborations with online magazines. She says "My key influences are the materials, sensations, colours, and all kind of forms and structures. I also draw my inspiration from people: what people are wearing, for example: vintage,...

Interview with fashion blogger MIRIAM STELLA from ITALY

April 24, 2015

An Italian engineer with a passion for fashion? Miriam Stella is just that! Pursuing her profession as an engineer during the day, Miriam turns into a professional fashion blogger at night. "My first style moment was when I saw my mother applying her makeup and getting dressed before leaving. The way she chose her clothes and shoes she was wearing – my mother she was my first fashion inspiration! However, I think things like personal style are within our DNA." I love aristocratic and ‘bon...

Response to skinning alive myth – a CEO pledge

February 17, 2015

The fur industry is regularly accused of skinning animals alive The most recent attack came this weekend online in the Daily Mail - a widely read publication both in the UK and globally. This time I have decided enough is enough and that now is the time to set the record straight. Here is my pledge to the industry and to consumers of fur to whom we have a duty of care: Some people claim that the fur industry is skinning animals alive. Let me be...

The ‘moral dilemma’ of inherited fur – Mark Oaten

January 30, 2015

I spotted a great article in the FT recently written by Gillian Tett, discussing the moral dilemma she faced when left a fur coat that had once belonged to her mother. After wresting with her conscience and considering a range of issues including the hypocrisy in a society that attacks the fur industry but is happy to “wear leather, eat factory-farmed meat or buy most types of fast fashion,” Gillian eventually decided that wearing her mother’s coat was “an ecologically positive act.” In response, the FT...

REMIX 2015 – The countdown is on

January 12, 2015

After a three-month selection process involving 44 delegations worldwide, a shortlist of 12 designers will be invited to the Pelota in Milan for the REMIX 2015 grand finale on 4th March where the final judging will take place based on a runway presentation. Each designer will show three looks that include fur garments and accessories as well as other non-fur items so that fur is seen in a holistic, natural context. Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief at Vogue Italia will act as president of the jury. Serving on...

FurLab educates Antwerp talents

December 15, 2014

In November 2014, the Belgian Fur Trade Federation organised a Masterclass for students of the Fashion Academy of Antwerp at Furlab in Amsterdam. The aim of the workshop, supported by the IFF’s Fur Futures program, was to get budding young talents from Antwerp more acquainted with fur – one of the most used materials in fashion design in recent years. Martine Kennis, a retail manager with a background in fur, met the chosen students and introduced them to the workshop. Django Steenbakker, Creative Director at...

Fur Futures Members Meeting Copenhagen 2014

October 9, 2014

On September 16-17, IFF held their annual Fur Futures Members meeting in Copenhagen. The Fur Futures program has nearly 700 members, and the 30 most interactive individuals from various different countries are chosen to attend the meeting each year, to discuss projects achieved in the last year and to develop new projects for the year to come. After a welcome dinner in Tivoli Gardens on September 15, the Fur Futures Members meeting commenced the following morning. This year’s meeting included three different roundtables for the...

Fox Fur Homewares: Gradient Bench by Lucas van Vugt

June 11, 2014

Lucas van Vugt's relationship with fur started in his early childhood, when he created stoles and headpieces for his dolls using old fur trims from his grandmother’s garments. Now he has moved on to designing fur homewares. While studying as an industrial designer at Design Academy Eindhoven, he experimented designing fur homewares and even cerated a quilt using pigeon feathers. He then went onto to do an internship at Furlab in Amsterdam, where he learned more about the techniques and skills required to handle fur...

Laura Apsit Livens opens showroom in London Mayfair

June 11, 2014

Fur Futures member Laura Apsit, 24, was in high spirits as she successfully opened up her showroom on the new Duke Street Grosvenor Development, in London’s Mayfair. “It’s been a lot of hard work and late nights, but I am ecstatic with the finished result,” she said. Having previously collaborated with designers such as Valentino, Givenchy, Armani Privé, Alexander McQueen and most recently Louis Vuitton for their L’invitation au Voyage campaign, Hasan Hejazi and Boodles the Jewellers. It only seemed natural to open up her...

Public Morals and Freedom of Choice: Fur Bans

June 9, 2014

Public Morals and Freedom of Choice: A Double Win for Common Sense Several court rulings in the last few weeks suggest those in power might have overstepped the mark when it comes to legislation on fur and the tricky issue of public morality. You can see the societal backdrop to the rulings I talk about below echoed in the recent European elections. It seems voters and national governments have lost faith in the endless new laws flowing from Brussels. They appear jaded with the endless...

Public Morals are a slippery slope

May 7, 2014

The Seal Ban The World Trade Organisation (WTO) was formed on the principles of free trade and non-discrimination. However, its Dispute Settlement Body recently announced that it is supporting the EU's ban on the commercial trade in seal products, a ban that was set up on the grounds that the legislation served the 'public moral concerns' of a select segment of the EU population. But what is 'public morality', really? The WTO itself doesn't have a definition. The General Agreements on Tariffs & Trade (GATT)...

Style on the street

May 1, 2014

Top 5 fur street style picks - By designer Rebecca Swann When it comes to the merging of fabrics and fur street style, Paris seems to have got it spot on!! Knit/ fur mixes are a possible new trend to keep an eye on (furry femininity). Leather/Fur provides a new tactile quality with a cosmopolitan sleek agenda. And summer brings new possibilities in creating new and innovative ways of proving that fur is multi-seasonal when worn and designed correctly. This look shows the use of...

Gordy Klassen Fur Trapper

April 2, 2014

Earlier this month, the Edmonton Journal released an article featuring Alberta trapper and Fur Institute of Canada (FIC) Board Member Gordy Klassen. The piece is a profile on Gordy, who shares his love of trapping and the Canadian wilderness. Gordy came from a family of hunters, but was always interested in trapping and started to save the money for his own traps at just 10 years old. He gathered knowledge from other local trappers and his father, who did a small amount of weasel trapping...

Shohei Ohashi – Winner of REMIX 2014

April 2, 2014

Interview with Remix 2014 Winner Shohei Ohashi Shohei Ohashi, 23, has become the newest winner of the REMIX International Fur Design Competition, this year in collaboration with Vogue Italia. From Japan, Shohei is currently studying Fashion Design at Osaka Bunka Fashion School and graduates in 2014. After winning the ‘Pimp my Coat’ award in REMIX 2013, he returned this year to enter in the main category, successfully taking home the Gold Prize. Shohei wowed the jury with three looks inspired by optical art, working with...

Fur Futures Bursaries – making dreams come true

March 28, 2014

Emma Granqvist is a young Finnish dressmaker with a love of fur. The Fur Futures Bursary Scheme gave her the opportunity to study fur and entrepreneurship and to visit one of the largest trade shows in the world. Read her story below. Last spring, I graduated as a dressmaker. During my last year in the vocational school I did a part of my work practice in the Fur studio of Centria University of Applied Sciences. I fell completely in love with the material and have...

Announcing the winners of REMIX 2014!

March 14, 2014

The Remix 2014 event was a huge success not only on the night (the venue hit full capacity and we had to stop letting people in) but also on social media and the blogosphere in the following days. The Remix 2014 Gold Prize was awarded to Japanese entrant Shohei Ohashi, who not only took home a cash prize, but also an invitation to intern at Aquilano Rimondi. Shohei’s garment included mink, white finn raccoon and goat fur, which was dyed and plucked to reach the...

On Behalf of the Fur Industry…

February 11, 2014

On Behalf of the Fur Industry I run a fur trade association. Like most such bodies, we're funded by all the businesses in our industry to act, work and speak on their mutual behalf. And like most such bodies, that means we're sometimes seen as the poor relation living on their scraps. I suppose there is an argument that trade associations are always not as close to the coal face as the companies they represent, but it's also true that they speak for the industry...

Men Bring Fur in From the Cold

February 11, 2014

Men's Fur A couple of weeks ago The Independent asked whether men can wear fur while keeping their street cred. The question is a timely one. Anyone who's picked up a fashion magazine in the last couple of weeks will see how this season's catwalks are awash with fur fashions for both men and women. You might not like it, but it's a trend you can't ignore. Designers are sending men down runways in a wide range of fur styles: everything from the modern bomber...

UK student uses fur in her MA collection

January 17, 2014

Barbra Kolasinski, Fur Futures Member experiments with fur, embroidery and tartan to create some inspiring looks for her MA collection that reflect her Scottish heritage. ‘The unique fascination with textiles lies in the potential for combining both traditional and new roles- those of decorating the human body and helping us look attractive, with protection, interaction and communication, while reacting to a wide range of exterior influences’ (Elsasser,2005:5) My Masters collection at London College of Fashion has become its genesis in my Scottish heritage and has...