Real (and faux) fur are back on the runway
Animal print faux fur vest by T Tahari, $139.50 at select Nordstrom stores or nordstrom.com Credit: handout
There may be no item of clothing quite as controversial as fur.
And yet fur is everywhere this season, in ways that designers hope will take some of the edge away from its usual critics.
Some top labels, including Chanel and Nina Ricci, put faux fur on the runway that was indistinguishable from the real thing. Accessory brand Be & D uses rabbit fur and lamb shearling that are byproducts of the meat industry.
"There is a comeback of fur as there is an acceptance of luxury again," says Gilles Mendel of J. Mendel, a brand with fur in its DNA. "After the difficult years in retail, the economy and the world of fashion, now people want to think about luxury that is precious and offers longevity."
Fur is also being touted as a versatile item that will outlast a fancy handbag or sequined top while playing up softness and warmth. It's being used as trim on bags and boots, the lining of a hood; it pairs with jeans as well as an evening gown. There's a craftsmanship to fur that makes it a worthwhile investment, Mendel says.
"The beauty about fur - fake or real - is that it can glam up anything," says Marie Claire fashion director Nina Garcia. "If you have a little cardigan that's sitting in your closet, a little fur trim can make it special."
Sasha Iglehart, deputy fashion director at Glamour, says economics is still a factor. "Maybe you're going to splurge and get something super-chic and warm, and then fur can be the one thing you buy," she says. "Or, you figure you can wear a fur jacket over jeans or a dress so you'll get a lot of use out of it."
