(22/04/2004) First BFTA Fur Design Competition Sets the Fashion

The British Fur Trade Association (BFTA) is pleased to announce the success of its first fur design competition.

Fashion colleges in London and across the UK took part in the competition with students required to design a collection of womenswear garments incorporating the use of fur. The purpose of the competition was to encourage students to appreciate the possibilities for using fur in fashion.

As part of the project a selection of finalists attended a one-day workshop where they were educated about fur and introduced to the different techniques that are possible. The students were able to get a feel for the different types of fur available and received feedback on their work so far. British fashion designer Tristan Webber spoke to the students about how he has chosen to incorporate fur into his work.

The students were then asked to develop their work using the information they had gained at the workshop and resubmit their work for the final judging.

Prizewinners were selected based on their ability to design fur garments that were innovative and wearable.

BFTA Director and member of the judging panel, Frank Zilberkweit said: "The work was of a high standard and all of the finalists had obviously thought carefully about the use of fur in their designs. Fur is a very exciting fabric to work with and these students have created interesting designs that have a commercial feel as requested in their brief."

The winner, said: "I have really enjoyed taking part in this competition and I now have a greater understanding of how fur can be used creatively and of the endless possibilities that are achievable."

The two runners up and the winner will visit the Saga Design Centre for a further workshop on fur.

The winner’s work will be put forward to the International Fur Trade Federation’s design competition in 2005.

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Issued by the British Fur Trade Association.
Press contact: Andrea Martin
e-mail press@britishfur.co.uk