NAFFEM 2002 GALA
INSPIRED COLLECTIONS TAKE FUR INTO NEW TERRITORY

The Naffem 2002 gala held at the new Palais des Congrès in Montreal was the lavish setting for the key players of the fur industry to celebrate yet another year of brisk business, as well as to check out the latest offerings by Canadian and international designers. The theme was Tribute to Women, and a heart-warming video presentation featured many of the women who inspired us, and no doubt more than a few fur collections. Even the menu had delicacies such as Sarah Bernhardt potatoes and the Maria Callas chocolate crown. Also honoured at the event was Montreal fashion maven Iona Monahan, who received the Maurice Memorial Award in front of an audience of many whose careers were launched by Monahan's vision and guidance, over her long and varied tenure as the final word on fashion.

The designers put their best foot forward at the gala, delivering a cross-section of the finest fur fashion du jour. Buying a fur coat this season may mean buying two, with the reversible coat sweeping the runway. Nobody does it better than Zuki, whose taupe reversible ½ length cape-coat with sheared beaver gardenia patterns and fringes is simply astonishing. Joseph Balzaic of Splendor Fur Processing tells Minimidimaxi earlier in the day what technology allows them to do for Zuki. "Our aim is to get the most character out of both sides of the skin while keeping the cost low for consumers." Furko by Theo also does reversible this season, with sheared furs on one side and the magnificent option of treated leather on the other.

Tom Sullivan, editor of Fur World & Outerwear Magazine in New York noticed another defining element this season. "I'm surprised to see so much eveningwear. We haven't seen this in a while." Any one of these pieces is bound to make a night on the town a smashing success. Dene Design by Arctic Canada's stunning ¾ midnight black sheared beaver coat is at once luxurious and minimalist while Kazamias struts it's A-line silhouettes in beautiful, dark colours. What Jean Crisan by Minos does in caramel patchwork, Antonio Proietti does in red and black and spruces it up with Toscana trim.

 

Fur coats aren't the hairy, floor-length monstrosities they used to be. A sportier, multifunctional look is revolutionizing an industry that is venturing into the young, urban market. Accessibility is the magic word. Lightweight and sheared fur is being used to define sexy silhouettes, while longer hairs are kept for subtle accenting. Men are even treated to this less refined, more raw look with Musi's black sheared fur-lined vest with sueded finish. Beaver is a fur versatile enough to meet the challenge, and Paula Lishman uses it to fashion hip hugging knit pants in variegated stripes. Italian labels Landi and Christia flaunted their Euro-chic take on lightweight furs in all their fringed glory. FurWorks, a sportswear in fur initiative under the creative direction of Richard H., epitomizes the new direction. For FurWorks, Krio by Natural Furs creates a blue denim and beige/white fur patchwork jacket, while Hilary Radley's detachable rabbit lining is already starting a buzz. The Fur Kids collection shows us that even little ones can benefit from the new advances in fur fashion.

The Design Network, a collaboration between Saga Furs and the Fur Council of Canada
brings Canada's hottest ready-to-wear designers together to give fur a high-fashion kick.
Artist Alan Chau's sculptural take on fur fashion consists of skins stretched and hardened to form surreal body shells. While other designers say they use fur because of its ability to be used as a fabric, it takes an artist to put a twist on things. "I'm inspired by fur because it's more malleable than fabric."

RELATED STORIES: NAFFEM 2002 - BAROMETER TO A BOOMING INDUSTRY NUNAVUT - SEAL AS A WAY OF LIFE

And for dessert came one of the most refreshing Naffem participants, the Nunavut Inuit Collection. Leading the pack in lightweight fur, Nunavut designer Kiluk's sealskin masterpieces offer both a confluence of cultures and seasons. Who knew that spring attire would come from a climate that rarely gets above freezing? For women, the burnt orange and blue square-sheared sleeveless seal vest with bright orange trim is one of sharpest items shown at Naffem. V-shaped patterns are used to define a trail-blazing silhouette while the beautiful, naturally spotted seal pelt makes for a trendy jacket. For men, winter coats come in bursts of colour and with Inuit motifs. If this was dessert, from now on this editor is going to have dessert first. Daniel Cox Fashion Editor Marek Wlazlo Photographer Minimidimaxi LTD. - The Canadian Fashion Stage Copyright ©2002 MINIMIDIMAXI LTD. All Rights Reserved