The workshop “Network of Retailers” took place early February in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The event brought together 27 representatives from across Europe from 16 European countries who all work within the fur value chain, from farm to fashion. Most of the participants were retailers or wholesalers, but the event also attracted representatives from farming and marketing departments.

The aim of the event was to strengthen the network and cooperation, develop new ideas evolving around issues like online trade, certification, sustainability and ethics and to generate in-depth discussions of fur retail and fashion issues in Fur Europe member countries. The workshop included presentations, group work, panel discussions and a visit to the fur design center FurLab.

The Dutch Fur Institute’s retail project would serve as a model and possibly be replicated in the member countries and take further concern for the national adjustments. The purpose was to underline the current and potential consumers including the sustainability aspects within all the value chain stages. Fur is currently more popular than ever, and more than 70 % of all high-fashion brands are using fur in their collections. The seminar was organised by FurEurope.

For further information please contact us

 

 

FUR AND SHEARLING TAKE CENTRE STAGE ACROSS RTW AW 2016: 70% OF COLLECTIONS FEATURE NATURAL MATERIALS

Fur and shearling made their mark across all four leading AW16 fashion weeks, with an estimated 70% of collections overall featuring the natural material. Considering that fur was also hugely prominent during the menswear AW 16 collections earlier in the year, it’s clear that designers and consumers are enjoying using and wearing natural materials in greater numbers. From the hugely eye-catching coats of BCBGMAXAZRIA and Michael Kors to the subtle craftsmanship from Carolina Herrera, New York Fashion Week saw 91 of 156 designers (58%) craft beautiful collections with fur. Coach 1941 delivered an oversized coat which echoed a similar piece featured during its menswear AW 16 collection, whilst DKNY crafted a slouched vest-like dress in brilliant black fur.

Though there’s less fur on show in London than in Paris, Milan and New York, its love of natural materials is on the rise, with an estimated 37 of the 79 designers (47%) incorporating fur and shearling into their collections, contradicting figures pushed out by animal rights bodies. This is an increase on last year’s London collections which saw 20% of designers use fur in their AW15 collections, according to a TNS poll. Stand out fur items were Roksanda’s simply elegant longline pieces and Christopher Kane’s extravagant yet deconstructed fur coats. However, it was Alexander McQueen’s return to London after 15 years that took centre stage. With McQueen’s collection set in a dreamscape, slick tailored leather coats embroidered with butterflies created a simple canvas for large yet subtle fur lapels to rest upon.

Fur and shearling made their biggest impact during Milan Fashion Week, with 55 of the 65 designers (85%) crafting beautiful garments with the materials; from Gucci’s oversized pink coat and fur lined loafers to Roberto Cavalli’s gothic-inspired draped coats and intricately detailed ponchos. Many designers used fur across the majority of their collections, with Fendi, Gucci and Prada all creating cuffs, coats and accessories with the versatile material across a high number of their pieces. The final week in Paris saw fur play a strong part across a broad range of French designers’ collections, with 51 of the 92 designers (55%) using the material. Oversized was the key trend here, with the likes of Chloé, Lanvin and Rochas crafting pelts into long-flowing puffed coats to give a tough city look ready for any weather condition.

Mark Oaten, CEO of International Fur Federation (IFF), said: “To see fur being used in the AW collections in ever more creative ways is testament to the versatility and continued appeal of this wonderful natural material. I’ve talked for a long time now about how fur fashion is so much more than the clichéd brown mink coat. Designers are increasingly pushing the boundaries as the industry develops new techniques, allowing them to inject new excitement and energy into fur fashion and broadening its appeal globally.”

ENDS

REMIX, the international fashion and fur competition organized by The International Fur Federation (IFF) and supported by Vogue Talents and MiFur, was held in Milan last Thursday. Each year, REMIX gives up-and-coming design talent from across the globe an opportunity to showcase their innovative designs to a highly influential, international audience and to receive global exposure across a range of traditional and online media channels.

 

 

This year, the jury comprised of Sara Maino (senior editor of Vogue Italia & Vogue Talents) Veronica Etro (creative director of Etro Woman collections), Tamu McPherson (American blogger, author of All the Pretty Birds and street-style photographer), Leah Perez (head of the department of fashion at Shenkar) and Lory Yedid (partner at Value Search). They had, in total, over 36 garments from the 12 finalists to review.

We are delighted to say that Edda Gimnes, one of the winners of our 2015 BFTA design competition, scooped the Bronze award with her abstract pieces focused on bringing sketches to life. Her collection used a blend of mink furs in black and white. Edda has recently graduated in Womenswear from London College of Fashion.

Our congratulations also go to Natalia Eyres, who was runner-up in our competition and was also selected as a finalist for REMIX. It is exceptional for a country to supply two of the 12 finalists!

 

 

 

 

The REMIX Gold prize went to Daniel Kohavi, from Israel and the Silver prize went to Ali Koc from Turkey.

The winners of REMIX will feature in a Vogue Italia photo shoot with their garments, which will be used in an editorial expected at the end of March on the official Vogue Italia website. They will also receive best-in-class training working with some of the world’s leading fur and fashion designers, and a supply of pelts to allow for design experimentation and innovation.

      

MEN EMBRACE FUR – FUR BREAKS 60% MARK IN MEN’S AW 16 COLLECTIONS

27^th January 2016– Fur stole the show during the recent men’s AW collections, proving that it’s not just for women, with an estimated 63% of shows overall including this most versatile of materials. The icy weather that finally descended on Europe and North America in time for the shows was a perfect backdrop to this catwalk trend, which we are likely to see translated into every day fashion.

In the first of the shows in London, 28 of the 60 designers (47%), including Astrid Anderson, Coach 1941 and JW Anderson used fur across accessories, coats, and jackets. The true showstoppers of the day were the oversized and over-fluffed coats showcased by Burberry and Coach 1941. Whilst their size may be intimidating, when teamed with streetwear pieces such as bomber jackets, sweatshirts and trainers, they give a tough city look that’s ready for any weather condition.

However, fur made its biggest impact during Milan Men’s Fashion Week AW16, with a majority – 35 out of 38 designers (92%) – crafting beautiful garments with the material; from Dolce & Gabbana’s oversized coats to the fur stoles of Marni and Giorgio Armani. One collection that really caught the imagination of those in attendance was Moncler’s AW 16 collection, with the French-Italian lifestyle brand assembling coloured furs in a patchwork effect to create a dramatic camouflage collection.

Next up in Paris, 32 of the 49 designers (65%) incorporated a range of furs, from Boris Bidjan Saberi’s black drop-crotch fur shorts to Valentino’s longline mixed pelt gilets.

Whilst the gothic punk stylings of Rick Owens shocked with a blend of horror films and furs, it was Louis Vuitton that caught the essence of sartorial Paris. With reference to the maison’s current exhibition ‘Volez, Voguez, Voyagez’, Kim Jones’s collection blended pelts seamlessly into classic menswear pieces, from the long double breasted coats in full fur to the collection’s furry jumpers, perfect for land, air and sea travel.

Mark Oaten, CEO of International Fur Federation (IFF), said: “It’s brilliant to see this season’s men’s collections making huge fur style statements. Designers are sending men down runways in a wide range of wearable fur styles: everything from the modern bomber, fur trimmed parka and the classic coat with an oversized fur collar or stole as a modern twist.  None of these would look out of place in any major city across the globe. 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.”

ENDS