Posted on 12/16/2005 4:23:55 PM PST by qam1
It's not the rabbit fur of the '60s or the big brushed pelts of the '70s and '80s.
But fur is back.
Just look at Canadian actor William Shatner.
The Fur Council of Canada says the industry set records last year with $2 billion in sales across North America.
Fur has become the new mark of cool.
And the one demographic that's pushing the trends is twenty- and thirtysomethings.
The people who follow the likes of P.Diddy and other hip-hop artists who have pushed fashion tastes toward beaver, or mink in a sheared look.
Alan Herscovici, the council's executive director, said the industry has been hard at work countering criticism about trapping from animal rights activists. But it's the new fashionability - not acceptance of the industry - that is driving sales.
"A few things have happened over the years but there's a new generation of young designers who are reinterpreting fur."
Herscovici said fur sales have increased about 25 per cent since 2000, and most of that growth is rooted in younger, fashion-forward shoppers.
Betty Balaila, executive director of Zuki Internationale, a leading Canadian fur designer, said more than half the customers are now under 45.
Teresa Eloy, communications director for the council, said women favour the short look to their new furs - a design she said isn't necessarily warm but popular.
Paul Kindy, who co-owns the century-old Kindy Furs in Selkirk, says that isn't necessarily his experience, but he agreed fur sales are strong. He said the industry was due for another upswing anyway.
"I understand it's the rappers who have brought attention back to fur. I'm 65 and I don't follow that, but I'm happy to see it," he said. "What brought the fur business back to its feet in the '60s were rabbit furs, which women wore over tight mini-skirts. It's time there was another resurgence."
Herscovici said the council has responded to consumer concerns about the ethics of the industry by arguing it is better for the environment than synthetics, which are generally made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource.
He also says the industry supports the efforts of about 60,000 trappers, many of whom are aboriginals in Canada.
"Trade is extremely well regulated, no endangered species are used and we support research to ensure excellent animal welfare standards."
Herscovici is passionate in his argument that, by using sustainable trapping and farming methods, the industry is providing employment and protection of habitats for many species.
"We are trying to tell our side of the story. Having said that, I feel it's the fashion that's driving it. People want to be reassured so they don't feel guilty about it."
It's not just younger consumers. Fur has gone mainstream, if the Chrysler TV ad with William Shatner in a fur coat is a sign.
The council says sales to men jumped 8 per cent last winter in North America.
Steve Konstantinidis, at Nadel Furs, said he has sold a few more furs than usual to men this year, particularly chinchillas.
Eloy said while men aren't necessarily wanting to look like rappers, they are moving to a more stylized, sheared-front look, in lighter tones, such as grey beaver coat.
"It started with hip-hop and now it's trickled down to the street," she said. "It's not the old-style raccoon coat."
Current prices for hides: Raccoon-$13-$23;Coyote-$15.25;Beaver-$11.60;Bobcat-$75.00;Missouri otters are bringing $125.00
Coming soon: furs pre-stained with red paint.
I don't listen to rap, but I did get a fur coat this year. My sister and I have our response ready if ever confronted by some PETA twit. "Let me guess, you have no problem with abortion."
That is a GREAT response!
Very nice.
Did someone say William Shatner?
Some are getting carried away
PETA = one more fad for the rich and famous.
That has to be one of the funniest things I have seen in a long time!
Ha Ha, I saw that pic of the deer on the bicycle on another site.
Proud_yank check out this site: www.tndeer.com.
Also www.outdoorpressrooom.com. Lots of laughs.
I only dress in human skin.
That's not counting the ones they give as a bonus to the strippers and porn actresses they hire to appear naked at their protests.
Some nice deer taken down in TN! How people get some of those bucks is beyond me. Especially in the middle of the day!
Got a small mulie early in Nov, but I hunted and hunted, for a nice whitetail and nada. Last day of the season, I saw an elk and a moose both within 100 yards, but not one deer! Needless to say I've started the countdown til next Nov.
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