(28/03/2003) Warm welcome for fur at this year’s fashion weeks

As we reach the end of the fashion weeks in London, New York, Milan and Paris for Autumn/Winter 2003/2004 it is evident that fur is being used in abundance with the number of fur garments and accessories on the catwalks increasing like never before.

International fashion houses have moved on from using fur as just a trim. We are now seeing big bold statements as fur is once again being used for full-length garments by designers including Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Iceberg, Gucci, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Jil Sander, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Michael Kors & Julien Macdonald.

In London many new and young designers have opted to show their creativity by using fur in inspirational and novel ways, with talent shining through from Temperly, Ashley Isham and Katarzyna Szczotarska.

British Fur Trade Association (BFTA) spokesperson, Andrea Martin, said: "The UK has a new love affair with fur, consumers are buying fur in force, and our members have reported an increase in fur sales of 35% (as quoted on the BBC Money Programme, 12 March 2003). At the shows fur not only majored on the catwalk but also featured heavily amongst the audience".

The latest catwalk images from the fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, London and New York can be found by visiting www.fur-style.com or www.britishfur.co.uk.

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

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Notes to editors:

For the 2003/2004 Autumn/Winter collections held in London, New York, Milan and Paris, some of the top designers and labels that used fur included: Alvin Valley, Anna Molinari, Arkadius, Ashley Isham, BCBG, Ben de Lisi, Bill Blass, Byblos, Carlos Miele, Carolina Herrera, Celine, Chaiken, Chanel, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Cynthia Rowley, Dirk Schonberger, Dolce & Gabbana, Dominique Sirop, Donna Karan, Elie Saab, Emanuel Ungaro, Fendi, Givenchy, Gucci, House of Jazz, Iceberg, Jasper Conran, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Jeremy Scott, Jil Sander, Johan Bester, John Galliano, Julien Macdonald, Justin Oh, Katarzyna Szczotarska, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Marc, Mariella Burani, Markus Lupfer, Marni, Matthew Williamson, Maurizio Galente, Maxmara, Michael Kors, Morteza Pashai, Nicholas Le Cauchois, Nicole Farhi, Oscar de la Renta, Paul Costello, Pierre Balmain, Prada, Rafael Lopez, Ralph Rucci, Robert Cary-Williams, Roberto Cavalli, Scherrer, Sean John, Sonia Rykiel, Sportmax, Tata Naka, Torrente, Tristan Weber, Valentino, Versace, Viktor & Rolf and Warren Noronha.
BFTA was established in 1919 to represent and promote the fur trade. Today the BFTA has over 40 members representing the majority of the fur trade in Britain. Our members come under the following categories: retailers, traders, wholesalers and manufacturers. The BFTA forms a focal point for members of the fur trade and represents members’ interests to Whitehall and Westminster