Fur Futures Archives • We Are Fur

REMIX and Beyond

March 6, 2020

Each year, the IFF hosts an international fashion design competition called REMIX in collaboration with Vogue Italia and Vogue Talents – the platform dedicated to supporting young fashion talents from around the world. Each year, the winners of REMIX see their creations featured in Vogue Italia which helps propel their careers into international acclaim. After participating in REMIX, the winners go on to achieve more greatness, therefore, presenting you with a selection of the winner’s career updates, we hope to inspire many more young designers...

Fur Futures Profile – Hilde Lillegård

November 14, 2019

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

CREATION 2019

November 6, 2019

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

Fur Futures Profile – Ellen Henningsen Hellem

October 30, 2019

The International Fur Federation (IFF) fund a range of projects to kick-start or further enhance the careers of those working with fur. Our latest Fur Futures success stories comes from Ellen Henningsen Hellem who was sponsored by IFF to attend Kopenhagen Fur's studio for a what she describes as an "inspirational visit." This is Ellen's experience... After spending three wonderful days at Kopenhagen Fur in Denmark’s wonderful capital, we reflect on our experiences and are left full of inspiration and ideas. Kopenhagen Fur kindly invited...

Fur futures profile – Eliza Cseri

October 22, 2019

Here at the International Fur Federation (IFF), we are committed to supporting the next generation of fur design talents. That is why we were keen to support fashion design student Eliza when she applied for funding to support her training at fashion house Yves Salamon. Here is Eliza's story... Dear All Fashion and Fur Lovers, My name is Eliza. I am a final year fashion student at the University of Huddersfield and I am last year 2nd place winner at the BFTA annual competition. This...

IV FUR Futures Ukraine International Forum

October 7, 2019

Cooperation of Kyiv National University of Technology and Design with the Ukrainian Fur Association promotes success in the international market The IV International Forum, “FUR Futures Ukraine,” held at the Kyiv National University of Technology and Design is the annual event organised by the Ukrainian Association of furriers that gathers representatives of fur business, from manufacturers to designers, as well as students, profiled teachers, academics, all working together in cooperation. This year, the forum was attended by 100 people and was moderated by Alla Gosling - the executive director...

Fur Futures Profile – Viktoria S. de Carvalho

October 1, 2019

The International Fur Federation (IFF) does much to support the fur trade with its bursaries. Supporting a host of projects, including Fur Summer Schools and Workshops. This is how Viktoria S. de Carvalho from Norway was able to attend the same trip to Kopenhagen Fur’s Studio as Jannicke Romøren Eriksen, along with four other fur ladies. Between 8-11 September 2019 Viktoria attended Kopenhagen Fur’s auction and made a visit to their studio. Here is Viktoria’s experience: I was lucky enough to get invited to participate in a...

Fur Futures Profile – Ineta Joksaite

September 26, 2019

At the International Fur Federation, we are committed to supporting the next generation of fur talents. This is why we supported Ineta Joksaite when she asked for funding to attend Fur Europes Fur Summer School in Kastoria, Greece. Here is Ineta's story. My name is Ineta Joksaite and I'm one of the 25 lucky people who attended a life changing trip to Fur Europe's Summer School in Greece on August 23rd 2019. The Fur Summer School lasted 9 days and focused on sustainability, fur skills,...

Fur Futures Profile – Jannicke Romøren Eriksen

September 23, 2019

The International Fur Federations bursaries are used to support a range of projects, from fashion shows, workshops and trips. The latest of our bursaries was awarded to Jannicke Romøren Eriksen from Norway who, along with four other fur ladies, journeyed to Kopenhagen Fur’s studio between 8-11 September 2019 for their fur auction and to visit their studio. In Jannicke’s words, this was her experience: Lucky me! I was one of the chosen ones to go to Kopenhagen Fur! I arrived at Kopenhagen Fur Auction house...

Fur Fashion by the Sea

August 14, 2019

Paralia Katerinis, a beautiful seaside settlement, is The Official Fur District of Greece where more than 50 fur fashion brands are located within walking distance of one another making it the favourite resort for travellers who visit Greece with the purpose of buying fur. All fur garments are MADE IN GREECE, manufactured in the city of Kastoria. This blog post is about Paralia Katerinis Furs (https://paralia-katerinis.com/) new project - a platform that was created in March 2019 and promotes the leading fur fashion brands in...

Lycée Turquetil Fur Course in Paris

July 17, 2019

The French Fur Trade Federation organizes a number of competitions every year for young designers, participates in the training of students, organizes the integration of new recruits in workshops and coordinates international projects around the fur trades. At international level, there are many competitions the French Fur Federation participate in, including REMIX organized by the International Fur Federation supported by Vogue Italia and Vogue Talents. At national level, the French Fur Trade Federation supports the Lycée Turquetil in Paris. This school has a workshop specifically...

FUR FUTURES PROFILE – IMPERIA FURS & LEATHER

April 30, 2019

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

REBECCA BRADLEY LONDON FUR SUMMER SCHOOL

April 25, 2019

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

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

April 4, 2019

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

FUR FUTURES PROFILE – DONG WANG

March 28, 2019

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

FUR FUTURES PROFILE – LONG CHEN

March 20, 2019

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

FUR FUTURES PROFILE – ANNA NAWROCKA

March 15, 2019

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

FUR FUTURES PROFILE – JAVIER ECHEVERRIA SOLA

August 31, 2018

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

Fur 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...

Fur Futures Profile – Siyang Meng

May 2, 2018

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

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...

Fur Futures Profile – Chloe Corrillon

March 21, 2018

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

Fur Futures Profile – ALEXQUISITE

March 7, 2018

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

Fur Futures Profile – Aigul Asadulina

February 22, 2018

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

Alexquisite x Saga Furs

September 18, 2017

Alexquisite is the creative brand and brainchild of Greek designer Alexandros Kotoulas. Alexquisite stands for superior quality, handmade leather goods and intelligent design that is tailor-made to the needs and tastes of a contemporary, mobile aesthete. The core principle of Alexquisite’s design ethos is soft design — a design language that blends together practicality and function with intuitive beauty and a playful involvement of all the senses.

(Dis)Gusto: A taste of style from Chiara Giovannini

August 24, 2017

And the sky was watching that superb cadaver Blossom like a flower. So frightful was the stench that you believed You'd faint away upon the grass. The blow-flies were buzzing round that putrid belly, From which came forth black battalions Of maggots, which oozed out like a heavy liquid All along those living tatters. — And yet you will be like this corruption, Like this horrible infection, Star of my eyes, sunlight of my being, You, my angel and my passion! Yes! thus will you...

Ninx from Bewitched Couture takes Kopenhagen Fur’s sorting & grading course

July 25, 2017

Kopenhagen Fur are the most prestigious producers of mink in Europe and it is a privilege to be selected by Kopenhagen Fur to attend their 'Fur Sorting & Grading Course' in Denmark. The first major element of the course was an illuminating presentation in the auction room on the key statistics and areas of business that makes up Kopenhagen Fur. We covered diverse areas from policy to finance, business structure to global reach, and welfare to traceability. Our afternoon session ran with a tour of...

Russian Fur Union Introduces the Next Generation to Fur

December 21, 2016

Russian Fur Union (RFU) started to develop a new project on introducing 12-15 year old school students to the fur industry. On the 3rd of December 2016, RFU organised a lecture «Fur Rainbow» conducted by the teachers of Moscow State Veterinary Academy which prepare fur specialists. In a frame work of this lecture students were told about fur as ecological and versatile material that can be used in all seasons of the year. Teachers demonstrated big variety of different fur kinds and talked about their...

Eurasia REMIX 2016 Fashion Show

November 17, 2016

On November 10th 2016, the Russian Fur Union, with the support of the International Fur Federation (IFF) held the 3rd international young designers competition Eurasia REMIX at Palace Suzora in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The annual fashion contest was held in two stages. The first stage of the competition consisted of a jury determining the finalists by the designer’s sketches. Designer’s selected for the second round would then have their ready garments judged by a panel that consisted of: Sergey Stolbov - Chairman of the IFF-Eurasia...

Fur Master Class in St. Petersburg, Russia

November 17, 2016

A master class on the use of modern technologies in the field of design and tailoring of fur products took place at the St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Design and Technology, Russia on the 10th November 2016. Organised by the Russian Fur Union (RFU) and supported by the International Fur Federation (IFF), the master class was attended by students and professors of design institutes of St. Petersburg and other Russian cities, as well as representatives of companies involved in sewing fur products. More...

Asia Remix 2016

November 16, 2016

Japanese won the Grand Prix Asia Remix 2016 —Asia Young Designer Fur Design Competition International Fur Federation, “IFF”, held the “Asia Remix 2016” for the first time in Tokyo, Japan on October 31st, 2016 with the aim of supporting up-and-coming Asian designers and promoting the development of fur designs, techniques and newest fur trend with the support of the Japan Fur Association. Including Mr. Johannes Manakas (Global Chairman of International Fur Federation), Mr. Thomas Wong (Asia Chairman of IFF), Ms. Kelly Xu (IFF Asia CEO),...

Welfur Initiative Gets BBC Coverage

October 20, 2016

WelFur is a new scheme developed to ensure animal welfare is a priority before fur pelts reach the auction houses. The program is entirely voluntary, although the auction houses will not sell furs that are not WelFur certified from 2020 onward. The scientist Jens Malmkvist from Aarhus University in Denmark is one of the scientists developing the new standards in fur farming. The scientists and veterinarians involved in the process are non-biased and unpaid from the fur farms. They are sponsored through the governments. "It...

Asia REMIX 2016 Finalists Announced

July 14, 2016

Thanks to a panel of judges, the finalists for Asia REMIX 2016 have been announced. The designers that gained the top 10 scores have been invited to compete for the women's wear category at the final event in Asia REMIX 2016 in Tokyo, Japan on 31st October, 2016. The 10 finalists are as follows (In alphabetical order): Yuki Ando (Japan) Ryu Kaga (Japan) Chie Kato (Japan) Eunjin Lee (Korea) Hanju Lee (Korea) Seungeung Lee (Korea) Cho Po (Hong Kong) Hiroshi Suzuki (Japan) Li Xuan Xuan...

Fur Asia: Designer Spotlight

June 15, 2016

Our Fur Asia workshops are coming to a close today after a fun week lectured by two designers who were former fur futures members. Coen Carsten and Ernesto Hinojosa Ruiz both discussed current fur trends in the fashion industry to students of the Asia region. Coen Carstens Independent designer based in Amsterdam creates unique techniques in fur for brands including Versace and Viktor & Rolf. His work includes use of knit and pattern stitching to create a lighter feel with a stretchable form so as...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...