· Fur is a very old-world craftsmanship; it’s the first garment that man ever wore! Fur is a garment that is completely handmade. Still, modern technology has allowed for such things as lasering into fur to create patterns such as corduroy mink. We can also shear furs to various heights for function and styling sake, and can dye furs to either enhance their natural color or give them a completely new hue. These innovations have made fur able to lend itself to the fashion industry in many new ways because we can be so creative with dying and shearing. We can even make it look like another animal completely.
· Mink is the gold standard in fur. It’s the warmest; it lasts the longest and is the all around best way to invest in a fur piece. If today’s mink pieces are out of your budget, a more affordable option is Rex Rabbit, which is the Rolls Royce of rabbits. It doesn’t shed and it has a very durable hide which blocks the wind and also makes it last longer. Rex Rabbit has a sheen and softness to it that can allow it to look like sheared mink or beaver as well.
· Fur is not just about warmth; it’s a fashion statement, and is timeless. A fur vest traditionally thought of as a piece of outerwear is really a sportswear item that can be worn over your basic white t-shirt. Technology has also allowed us to make lightweight pieces out of traditionally heavy furs. We can intersperse strips of cashmere or silk with strips of fur and create not only a completely new look, but also a piece that is adaptable for year-round wear. We treat fur just like any other textile – we weave it and knit it into traditional sportswear shapes and thus our fur sweaters, ponchos and wraps are really popular because they are luxury pieces that are soft and drapey just like you would want such a sportswear item to be.
· Fur trims have been a tremendous trend, but it’s actually a statement that harks back to the early days of fur fashion because it makes for a wonderful transitional climate piece, and it’s very feminine in the way it frames your face or neck. The look of fur is so big in fashion right now that it also allows us to experiment with different combinations of fur and fabric – such as a fleece hooded sweatshirt lined with rabbit and with a raccoon trimmed hood – or mixing two different textures and colors of fur into one piece.
· Fur should be treated just as you would the hair on your own head – be careful of UV rays as they will oxidize fur just as they would change the color of your hair. Along the same lines, fur will absorb the same types of odors that your hair would, from perfume to cigarette smoke. Furs should only be dry cleaned by those cleaners trained in fur – another service offered at CASSIN. Just as you would never spray your own hair with Febreze or any other chemical deodorizers, so should you never spray your fur.
· You should never spray perfume directly onto your fur, just on yourself. We recommend wearing a silk scarf around your neck with most fur pieces, not only does it look chic, but it serves as a barrier between the fur and perspiration, perfume, makeup etc. This of course doesn’t apply to evening and occasion pieces where the décolletage is the key accessory.
· When not in season, fur should always be stored with a professional company offering a temperate vault meant specifically for fur storage -- we offer this at CASSIN. On a daily basis, your fur should always be hung on a broad-shouldered hanger, and with enough room in your closet so as not to get crushed. Never leave your fur near heat. Never put it in a plastic bag it suffocates it.
Sherry Cassin,President and Creative Director of CASSIN
