Spring 2011 Designer Fur Fashion

As designer ready-to-wear collections for the spring 2011 season hit the runways, it would seem that fur fashion is most definitely here to stay.

The Autumn/Winter collections of 2010/2011 saw a fur revival like never before and many challenged its staying power outside of cold conditions but as the seasons change, the winning versatility of fur has shone through. Designers have been lining up to showcase their renewed love of fur by expressing fresh and original ways to utilise it in their latest catwalk creations with innovative styles coming in the form of shorts and skirts from high profile designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Georgio Armani and Oscar de la Renta.

Coats took on lively new contours from the high sheen offerings of Rick Owens in his trademark jet black and the more lightweight variations appeared in short, tailored waist and thigh-length vests and jackets in serene neutrals from the ultra chic J. Mendel.

Dennis Basso’s sultry coat stylings ranged from cut out and see-through swing jackets with sumptuous snug collars that accentuate the inner silhouette to capped sleeve capes that captured the playful nature of the a-line 60’s but oozed a contemporary feel. Master fur manipulator Fendi displayed a variety of slinky boleros and accessories were still smoothing out the competition with colourful stoles from Dries Van Noten.

Helen Yarmak’s flirty designs used the attention grabbing bold primary hues of royal blue and canary yellow alongside strong shades of black and white cut in pure rock star mode while Oscar de la Renta brought a vintage feel back with a selection of opulent lines, trims, stoles and jackets. The stark whites, soothing browns and slinky blacks in off the shoulder and wide collar designs wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Hollywood glamour set of the 1950’s.

Prada went all out on their spring collections shown at the end of last year with high colour and bold stripe designs in fox fur stoles. Vibrant shades of pink, blue, teal, green and an eye-catching stark orange (which is set to be one of spring’s signature colours) sit surprisingly comfortable alongside thick black stripes. These striking and instantly recognisable stoles are already a store favourite which has no doubt been helped along by a fun ad campaign, endorsements from famous fans such as renowned designer Marc Jacobs and pop sensation and fur advocate, Rihanna, who is rocking the look in her new music video “S & M".

From celebrity wearers to celebrity designers, The Row is a label fronted by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Already making a stir with the level of fur used in their collections this dynamic twin duo have carved their own niche in the fashion world with their sophisticated and classy sharp tailored pieces that focussed on trims, fur hats and animal prints during New York’s fashion week, with menswear and accessories promised for future lines.

With so much fur still gracing the coming season’s collections, it would seem that as spring approaches and the air heats up, our love of fur most definitely hasn’t cooled.


IFTF is an independent international federation of national fur trade associations and organisations. Iftf is working for conservation welfare and promoting fur fashion. Fur industry is highly regulated and committed to environmental conservation.

DESIGNER FUR COAT

MINK JACKET

How to Choose Your Perfect Length Mink Coat or Mink Jacket

When you decide to invest in a luxurious mink coat it may be a little daunting trying to decide what length would be best. Considering mink coats are made in every length from full length to the shortest little bolero style jacket there's a huge selection to choose from. Take the below 3 factors into consideration and you should be able to decide what is the perfect length for your mink coat.

#1 - Climate
Needless to say it probably gets quite cold where you live during the winter months. However, some of the northern areas tend to get even colder with temperatures dipping below freezing on many a night. If you live in a colder climate you may need more coat tro keep you warm. A full length mink coat is definitely going to give you more coverage and more protection from the elements than a mink jacket.

If you live in a warmer climate and it rarely even freezes, then a full length mink coat may not get much use. In that case a mink jacket or mink cape which looks great with formal wear or jeans will be more useful.

#2 - Body Type
When it comes to deciding on your perfect length mink coat then your body type may help you decide. If you have a perfect model shape then get whatever length mink coat you like. Otherwise you may want to accentuate the positives and camouflage the rest. If you have a petite upper body but a little more "junk in the trunk" then a swing style mink coat may be your perfect choice. If you're heavy on top but have great legs you may want to go with a shorter jacket style mink. Plus size ladies always look ultra glamorous in full length mink coats.

#3 - Price
A full length mink coat will cost on average anywhere from $3000 to $10,000. A lot more pelts go into making a full length coat, so of course it will cost more. If that's a little too pricey for you then consider getting a mink jacket or mink stole which will cost considerably less.

Mink Coats - There No Longer Just Your Mother's Coat

The younger generation is flocking to mink coats and mink jackets like never before. It was once considered the coat of a more mature woman, mostly due to it's larger price tag. The mink coat has now become much more affordable and loved by the youthful and hip. Also the younger generations have more fun with fur, wearing mink stoles with skinny jeans and boots or mink jackets with maxi dresses and floppy hats. The 18 to 30 year olds have truly embraced the versatility of real fur and are teaching the mature ladies a trick or two about fabulous fur fashion.

Fur Coat Buying Guide

A fabulous coat is an essential piece that helps complete any feminine wardrobe. They are practical items as well as products that spell luxury and style. They perform the dual purpose of keeping you warm from the cold, chilly winds and more importantly, make you look elegant and chic. Just by simply slipping on the right coat can elevate your beauty and confidence!

Choosing which type of fur coat to buy can be a hard task, so here is a quick guide:
Sable:

Sable is one of the most luxurious furs available which a rich cultural history and tradition behind it. Jackie Kennedy wore a sable trimmed coat to President Kennedy's Inauguration. It was even worn by the Russian Royal Family for a long time as a way of distinguishing themselves from the common people due to its exorbitant cost. The sable fur that adorned the shoulders of the Russian royalty was embellished with beautiful diamonds, pure gold and silver.

Nowadays, there are a few types of sable used for making coats. The best is considered to be from the Barguzin Valley in Russia. Yeniseyskiy sable comes in different shades of brown. There can also be a dash of bright, vivid silver visible and generally lighter in color than Barguzin. Also, it showcases a lesser number of silver hairs as compared to the former. The third renowned kind of sable is the Canadian sable that is used by fashion houses around the world. Chinese and Japanese sables are deemed to be of the lowest quality.

Designer Fur Coats


Mink:

Mink fur also originated from Russia. It is derived from the hairs present on the body of the mink, which is a type of weasel. What sets this particular fur apart from all other kinds is that the hair on the body of the mink is of the exact same length. This fur is stunning to look at as there is no discrepancy when it comes to varying hair lengths, giving it a smooth finish. It is formed of perfectly proportioned hair. This is a very easily usable fur which makes it the most preferred choice for making different items of clothing like coats, jackets, capes, etc. as it gives an understated, elegant look.

Mink Fur Coat

Fox:

Fox fur has been patronized and appreciated in all major European countries in the centuries gone by. It is said to denote luxury, opulence and extravagance. Fox fur is readily available and used frequently by fashion designers. There are innumerable colour choices in the case of fox fur. Colour choices ranging from pure white to jet black depending on the tastes of the customer. There is a dramatic elegance that comes with wearing this fur.

Fox Fur Coat

For more information on Cashmere, Leather and Fur come visit http://allthingscashmere.blogspot.com/

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Fur-Coat-Buying-Guide&id=4214115] Fur Coat Buying Guide

Russian Women Love Real Fur Coats

U.S. company - Aspen Fashions ships beautiful yet reasonably priced fur coats across the globe, visit: Mink Coat or Fox Fur Coat

Mink Furs - How To Tell If Their Quality Is High

When talking about glamour a few things come to one women's mind. One of them is definitely a quality mink coat. However, the prices of real furs keep climbing and a lot of people are critical against those who choose to buy a fur garment. If someone wishes to purchase a high quality mink coat, then they will have to be able to identify the factors and properties that define the price and quality.

Place your finger tips on the outside of the coat and run them through. Either rubbing with or against the grain, you should feel the fur's softness. You should be able to recognize two layers of fur: the longer guard hairs that rise in the surface and the short, dense underfur. If the fur feels spiky then the quality is low. The hairs of the same type must be even in terms of length and density.

Inspect the inner part of the coat.Many fur makers choose not to have the lining hemmed at the bottom so that the buyer is able to check the workmanship. You must lift the lining up and see the underside of the fur and evaluate the sewing technique and quality. If the mink is made with the 'let out' method, then you will be able to see long, thin stripes. It is very important that there is no hair caught in the seams.They should run parallel and their size dimensions must be equal. If the length and width of he stripes is not even then the quality is low.

Ask to know the origin of the mink garment. Sellers are legally bound to provide this information. Although China has made a lot of progress in fur making, there is still a long way to go until they meet the standards of North American and European furs. Of course this means that the prices will vary from country to country.

Find out the percentage of leather used to make the mink coat. Some furs have leather stripes sewn between the fur stripes. This is either for economy or to enhance the looks of the coat by making it less bulky. At any case, the more leather is used the lower the quality of the coat.

Check if there is a pelt label. You should look for North America Fur Auctions (NAFA), American Legend or SAGA. These labels are indications of superior quality and high standards. Pelts carrying those labels have been carefully inspected and selected among thousands of pelts for their high quality.

Dimitris Zagoudinos is a third generation furrier from Siatista Greece.

Visit http://www.skandinavikfur.com to view furs of great craftmanship.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Mink-Furs---How-To-Tell-If-Their-Quality-Is-High&id=6548235] Mink Furs - How To Tell If Their Quality Is High

How to Choose the Right Fur Coat

Often people are in a quandry when trying to make choices between mink, chinchilla and fox fur coats. Mink and sable furs are enormously shiny, lightweight and soft. Mink gives out a rich feel, is fluffy, smooth, and goes through deep tinting process. Sable coats are extremely silky. The rareness of the fur makes it very expensive. One beautiful quality of the mink and sable fur coats is that they feel soft even when stroked against the grain.

Coats from raccoon and otter fur are deemed the thickest ones as they have many layers to them. Silver, black, light brown, dark brown, tan and grey are some of colors these furs come in. You can bet on the warmth of these coats in chilling winters.

I have found it helpful to shop online at AspenFashions.com. Aspen Fashions has an enormous selection of all types of fur coats from classic mink coats and mink jackets to luxurious shearling and sheepskin coats and they even have plus size shearling coats.