HONG KONG, June 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Fur Federation brought the Asia Fur Workshop Road Show to Hong Kong as the finale to its Asia tour, after visiting Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul and Nanjing.
Staged in a fashion boutique in the historic Western Market, the workshop featured two famous fur designers who shared their visions and experience in using fur as a fashion material, the latest trends and techniques in fur design, and the versatility and wide applications of fur on different items.
The workshop was attended by fashion designers, fashion & lifestyle editors and bloggers, where they get the opportunity to touch, feel and experience the fur material.
Fur as a Four-season Apparel
Ms Kelly Xu, Asia Region CEO of the International Fur Federation, gave an overview on the 'Overseas market trend on fur fashion designs and models' view towards fur fashion'. "Fur is no longer a winter-only apparel. With new design techniques, fur becomes lighter, thinner and more comfortable, making fur fashion wearable throughout the year", she remarked.
One of the latest market trends in fur fashion, according to Ms Xu, is the creative use of colours, for example, soft pastel colours connecting with neutral colours, giving fur a fresh new look which widens the age spectrum of fur fashion. While younger consumers prefer the trendy new styles, the full garment fur is keeping on to its traditional markets, loved by people in the colder climates who choose fur for the luxurious fullness it provides.
Fur is also gaining foothold in men's wear, being increasingly used in different men fashion pieces. In the Milan Fashion Week earlier this year, 86% of designers used fur in their collections, attesting the current popularity of fur in the fashion industry.
Wide Application on Different Items
Ms Xu also pointed out that fur is a versatile material, being used not only in fashion but also in a wide variety of items, like bags, shoes, interior design, and even industrial products and art items. The wide application of fur also helps to fully utilize the fur material, as even small pieces of scrap material can be used, putting wastage to a minimum.
Natural, Renewable and Sustainable
Fur is the earliest form of clothing material and remains one of the most popular choices of fabric today. It is also a natural, renewable and sustainable material. The fur industry takes great responsibility towards the environment. Fur farming is well-regulated and holds the highest standards among all farming industries such as livestock farming.
Coen Carstens - New Fur Technique Makes Fur All-season
Coen Carstens, an independent designer based in Amsterdam, demonstrated his unique fur techniques in the workshop. He created a new technique that includes use of knit and pattern stitching to create a lighter feel with a stretchable form, so that fur can be worn across seasons and has made fur a more wearable and more popular fashion item around the world.
Coen's unique techniques are welcomed and used by big fashion brands including Versace and Viktor & Rolf. He recently worked with the Chinese-born designer, Yiqing Yin, to create special looks for her premiere at Paris Haute Couture Week.
Many fur patterns made using this new partial-fur-partial-knitwear technique were on display in the workshop, including woven seal skins, fox knits, and also fabrics using a mixture of fur and leather. Also exhibited are some advanced fur techniques from KOPENHAGEN Fur Studio, Saga Fur and NAFA. Many fur patterns are made using fur in combination with other fabrics, such as fur with silk, wool, cotton, leather...
Ernesto Hinojosa Ruiz – Sustainable Design Specialist
Born in Mexico and currently based in Germany, Ernesto earned many fashion design awards, such as Young Designer of the Year 2013 and a number of sustainable design competitions. He has worked for many famous brand names and private clients and now he has his own label of fashion and footwear.
"I appreciate and respect fur. It is just precious and extremely valuable', said Ernesto. So he specializes in reusing and recycling waste materials in making his items. For example, a neckband on display is made of entirely recycled materials which he picked up – the fur is scrap silver fox fabric, the inner support is a piece of old plastic material cut from a used black record, while the lining comes from old furniture fabric.
He also brought some pieces that are stylish and tailored-made for the young people, including a jacket and matching bag made of shaved shadow fox and wool jersey, which are made for a customer as her everyday gym wear.
From traditional to creative new styles, from winter to all-seasons wear, as one of the most important and beloved fashion material, fur has come a long way in its evolution as fashion item.
The Fur Asia workshops are held by the International Fur Federation every year in major Asian fashion cities, with the aim of sharing the latest fur trends in the fashion industry to the Asia region.
For further enquiry, please contact:
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Iris Pang
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