Foxy fashion
By Kristen Hammond
While Montreal editor Shirine Saad was swamped with all things nuptial-related for MARIAGE Québec, I was sent to check out the furry fashions at this year’s Naffem (naffem.com) opening gala.
Perhaps it’s to keep frostbite at bay or maybe it’s because this city was founded on the fur trade, but whatever the reason Montrealers prefer their fur luxe and without the least hint of PETA red paint. So it’s only fitting that our city is the stomping ground for the Fur Council of Canada’s annual Naffem show, which flaunts the latest luxury outerwear.
If you haven’t already heard, the Fall 2008 runways were swathed in fur. Get a jump on the trend by indulging your ’70s diva with a moss-coloured fox vest from Bill Blass by Natural Furs International (naturalfurs.com). Or lose yourself in an Anna Karenina fantasy with a sheared beaver with dyed silver fox trim jacket from Jean Crisan (jeancrisan.com).
Despite so many covet-worthy pieces, there were a couple of standouts. One of the opening numbers, a Jackson Pollock–inspired, knee-length fur trench by Zuki (zuki.com), caught my eye. But my favourite was a sheer, asymmetrical tunic dotted with circles of cream and grey platinum mink by Joe Bates with Kopenhagen Fur (kopenhagenfur.com). Converted to the cult of fur, I’m almost ready to wish for winter again…almost but not quite.
Shown: This paint brush-inspired trench by Zuki adds splash of colour to a dreary afternoon.
Photography by Kristen Hammond.