When it comes to fur coats, the undisputable best seller is Mink. It's been the underlying anchor of the fur industry around the world, and rightfully so. It's soft, beautiful, light, and durable, but most importantly, it makes you feel like a million dollars when wearing it.
I recently came back from the biggest fur show in North America. This show only happens once a year and it's where the best of the best fur manufacturers go to show case their creations. This is where you go and look at what is going to be this year's fashion. You look, observe, analyze and then try to decide which ones you think you will be the best sellers. Its exciting work, but trust me it's not as easy as it sounds.
This year's creations were without doubt, one of the most glamorous and beautiful that I have seen in a long time. But when I was looking at our selection of purchases for this year, I noticed an increasing pattern in our collection fur coat styles. This trendy pattern is all about "sheared fur". If you do not know what sheared fur is, well, it's pretty simple. The fur is shaved before the coat is put together. An example I often refer to; it's like going to the barbers to cut all the long hairs. All that is left is the underlying furs that are all of equal length. The underlying furs are softer, but just as warm.
Of the collection of fur coats we had selected this year, eighty percent were sheared. It's not that we had planned on buying that many sheared fur coats, but this year's creations of sheared fur were so attractive, that we had to get them.
The advantage of sheared over traditional fur coats is the fact that they are much, much lighter; and people like that. In addition, they do not look like a traditional coat, since it has more of a velvety feeling. On the down side, the sheared fur will not be as durable as its counterpart. And that make's sense, you are removing a layer of fur that is used mostly for protection.
Although sheared furs are becoming more and more popular, we still have customers that come in and want the traditional black mink coat. They want the same fur coats Brook Shields or Madonna wears. One of the common reasons people tell me is the following; if they spent a lot of money on a fur coat, they want something they know will last them for 20 or 30 years and still be in style. And that is the beauty of mink fur, its everlasting. It's the definition of classic and elegance all in one. In addition, traditional fur coats make more of a statement.
From my perspective, the jury is still out regarding which style of mink fur (sheared or not sheared) I like the best. I like the lightness of the sheared furs, but I also like the elegance of a traditional fur coat. Either are excellent choices and none is better than the other. Truthfully, I think it's a matter a personal preference. But one thing is for certain, people are still attracted to its splendor and beauty and will continue to be for generations to come.
Dino Karatzios is a third generation furrier, learning the trick of the trade from his Father (Dimitrios who is the actual master furrier) from the day he was born, furs and luxury outerwear is practically in his blood. Currently managing Frank's Furs and Fashions ( http://www.franksfurs.com ), he always likes to help his clients find the right product and give the right advice. For more information regarding furs, leathers or specialty wools, please feel free to contact Dino at Frank's Furs and Fashions ( http://www.franksfurs.com )
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