Faux Fur

So here it is; autumn/winter 2011. It’s not much of a surprise that the runways are covered in chunky knits, capes and trench coats, but even if it is used in a small dose, faux fur is appearing everywhere. From collar and cuffs, trim on boots and hats or even with a stunning all over coat, faux fur has demanded attention for another year on the runways.

To seeing Marc Jacobs collection including it on bags and Stella McCartney on all over coats, faux fur has never left the runways since it was introduced in 1929 and then was commercially available in the 1950s.

Fur dealers have been traced back to 1862 with a man named Leipzig. However, in the years that progressed, it was highlighted that the murder of animals just for their fur was unethical and people began to rise up and fight against the ill-treatment of them. You can still see campaigns today from corporations such as PETA that has support from many celebrities such as Eva Mendes, Vivienne Westwood and Charlize Theron. You can also see more aggressive and passionate campaigners on the streets outside of Fashion Weeks all over the world protesting and even sometimes throwing paint onto passers by wearing real fur.

Vintage faux fur coats always seem to be more popular than buying the new versions as there is a history there and you can feel as if you were in the 50s. This was a brand new and exciting thing to be a part of. You can look glamorous without harming a thing.

The use of synthetic fibres designed to resemble fur has changed the face of ethical fashion. There will always be a difference between the qualities of real fur to fake; however, you do not have the thought in your mind about wearing a poor, innocent and mostly cute creature around your shoulders.

The highstreet has always followed the fashion from the high fashion designers as this is where trends are set for the season, so it is available to any working woman (or man) to be able to be a diva when you’re walking out around the town in a statement coat.

The great thing about fake fur is that it is a lot more versatile and easier to work with than real fur, for example; Topshop have been able to use different colours for a larger range on their duffle coats, something that would be a lot harder and more costly for designers using real fur.

So, this winter, add a touch of glamour to your day, even if it just with fur collar and cuffs on a duffle or trench coat or with a bit of trim on your boots, and make that statement that even though you look like a million dollars, it didn’t cost you your mortgage or a defenceless animals life. 

Love,

A xo.