NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- From mink chains to expandable silver fox knit, designers this season are more adventurous than ever before with their use of fur. This is a departure from years past. Traditionally, fur shown in American ready-to-wear collections was most often a simple embellishment on the collars and cuffs of dresses, suits or coats or perhaps used as an accessory -- a scarf or boa. This has changed dramatically.
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/?pkgid=330
According to Steve Gold, Saga's North American Marketing Director, the reason for the change is that designers are now comfortable with the material. "Up until recently designers had a limited understanding of fur workmanship. They created simple patterns for collars and cuffs then sent them off to a fur manufacturer to realize. Now, thanks to an educational program Saga has been sponsoring for the past eight years more than 80 American designers have learned the complexities of fur workmanship and they're making good use of this knowledge. This is the most creative season yet when it comes to new fur techniques."
One of the more popular techniques for Fall/Winter 2003 is a fox or mink and knit combination. SAGA Fox or SAGA Mink is cut into strips then sewn on the ribs of knitwear creating an expandable fur that moves as the knit stretches. Fur can cover an entire sweater or be used as an accent anywhere on the garment. Designers who will be featuring this technique on runways are Nicole Miller, David Rodriguez, Peter Som and Alkvin Valley.
Sheared SAGA mink piping has become a new finishing material for evening gowns to outwear. Designers who have made good use of this luxe applique include Carmen Marc Valvo, Anand Jon, Michael and Hushi and Zaldy.
Other innovative approaches to fur include Liz Collins' bright patchwork pieces of red, yellow and turquoise dyed SAGA fox and SAGA mink applied to her ponchos and sweaters. Jeremy Scott made generous use of animal prints on his ponchos and capes. Badgley Mischka used the SAGA Airgallon technique with their fox trim. In the Airgallon technique, the fox pelt is perforated with many small holes, making it both light and flexible. Anand Jon created mink chains for belts and scaves from the sheared mink piping technique.
There are at least 65 Americans designers who have incorporated fur into their collections this season.
Established in 1954 by Scandinavian breeders, Saga Furs of Scandinavia is a marketing company that represents a global market share of 66% of farmed mink and 61% of fox. The SAGA label reflects the very finest quality of these fur types. The company is renowned for its progressive approach to marketing skins sold at Nordic auction houses in Copenhagen and Helsinki.
Photographs from collections available overnight on slides or via email.
