(Long Island, NY) In the constantly evolving world of high fashion, Tres Chic Furs always offers the Long Island Consumer the Best in high-end furs.
The week of June 12th has been exceptionally busy for me attending The FICA Show Fall/Winter 2006 in New York City. When most people are getting ready for hot summer beach days in the Long Island sunshine, the fur industry is getting ready for next season’s fabulous furs.
Each year in the spring FICA holds their shows for one entire week in the fur district. For those who do not know exactly what FICA is let me enlighten you FICA, the Fur Information Council of America, was established in 1987 as the Fur Trade Association of the United States. FICA serves its members in multifaceted ways. Like other non-profit trade associations, FICA provides background information and guidance on industry developments, researches markets trends, consumer habits, tracks and reports sales and price points, identifies issues of common concern, represents the fur industry in dealings with the press, the public sector and other industries, as well as state and federal governments. FICA monitors legislative initiatives and judicial actions that have direct impact on the fur industry.
The International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF) is also affiliated with FICA. London is their headquarters and throughout the years their membership has grown and flourished. Among its most prestigious members are fashion designers, wholesalers, fur retailers editors and business analysts throughout the world. FICA also saves its members money and time by providing exclusive programs such as an in store customer credit program and merchant card program. FICA also keeps its members informed of the latest trends in Fashion. FICA is the only fur trade association that supports and employs a fashion promotion team full time. It also protects its members from personal threats that are made by extremist animal rights groups. 85% of U.S. fur retailers are small individually family owned businesses that are being targeted by such groups. FICA is there to ensure their livelihood and to help their businesses endure and prosper.
Each year I am proud to be invited to the FICA Show. As usual this year was no exception. Fur is more spectacular then ever for Fall 2006. Wonderful designs and marvelous silhouettes are new for Fall 2006. Designer Athanasios (Tommy) Demetriades brings a whole new concept in contemporary aesthetic to fur in his ESKO collection. The look is sleek, sophisticated and elegant with double-breasted peplum jackets, lovely broadtail combined with Loro Piana cashmere. The look this season is vintage inspired short coats and jackets with a fantastic fresh appeal.
Cheklang lamb, a flat plush textured supple fur is featured in the hip young Xander Collection but the highlight of the show was the Divas Collection designed by my darling friend Celebrity Television Journalist Leon Hall. Most will recognize Leon from the E Network! and Fashion Emergency. He is known worldwide for his Emmy and Oscar red carpet fashion coverage with Joan Rivers. He is one of the highest rated fashion entertainment journalists today. “With Fur gracing the runways of virtually every designer’s collection for Fall/Winter 2006. I wanted my divas to know that they too can enjoy the incredible feeling you get when wearing fur, even if they aren’t a size 2! Fur is the fabric of choice and I’m giving them that choice”, said Mr. Hall. Leon recognizes that most women in the United States are size 14 and over and want to be glamorous and fashionable in fur. His collection is all about furs that flatter and fit larger size women. “Fit is essential…fit makes it yours. All women have hourglass shapes. My divas are just a bit larger. I want them to enjoy the magnificent feeling of wearing fur and looking divine!”
Designer Athanasios (Tommy) Demetriades with Cognac Wellerlane
Another spectacular show was Carmen Marc Valvo. Much of his inspiration comes from his spring and fall collections with the Old Hollywood Glamour days gone by. Beads, sequins, sensual embellishment all play a significant meaning in his design of glamorous gowns that need the appropriate glamorous fur. Carmen’s extensive fur collection includes shrugs, boleros, cropped jackets, strollers and fabulous accessories. His unique designs are manufactured by using a special technique of combining silky karakui and sheared mink, knit cashmere with mink, and beaded lace embellishments. Although his sumptuous designer creations have made him a favorite among celebrities such as Mary J. Blige and Beyonce Knowles it his devotion to his non- celebrity clients that have made him into an international star.
I truly enjoyed the Helen Yarmak Show darlings drinking expensive champagne and eating the best Russian Caviar in Ms. Yarmack’s showroom penthouse suite overlooking panoramic views of Central Park and 5th Avenue. Helen’s furs are luxurious, glamorous, very expensive, over the top and exhilarating to touch and feel. Movie star Goldie Hawn is a well know client of Helen Yarmak Furs. The most expensive fur in her collection is a $270,000 Russian Sable coat.
Fur designer Orlando Lopez launched his brand new collection on June 13, 2006. His hands-on approach to detail, furs and trimmings as well as managing all his garments production will make fur wearers feel unforgettable.
On Wednesday June 14th darlings, I was invited to the Jerry Sorbara Fur show. In my interview with this masterful genius, Sorbara revealed to me why he was inspired to design furs after working as a tailor, “Designing fur is like falling in love with a beautiful woman”. Magnifique!!!
Jerry Sorbara’s collection is sold exclusively for Neiman Marcus. The collection offers bright colors in mink jackets, short swing coats, lippy cat trimmed in Russian sable and Tanuki. I especially adored the lippy cat trimmed in black fox it had such a real art deco retro feel. I felt as if I walked on the set of a 1930’s movie, very Old Hollywood. Speaking of Old Hollywood, Mr. Sorbara has sold his exquisite furs to many movie stars including Dame Elizabeth Taylor. Jerry also features golden sable and young shapes in chinchilla. Another great show was Sherry Cassin. Ms. Cassin’s furs are fun and light as a feather. Sherry confessed to me that women want to run from place to place and don’t want the bulk and the weight of a big fur. Today’s modern woman is all about wearing a beautiful fur with jeans and wearing the same fabulous fur with an elegant evening gown. Most of her furs are without lining to create a feather light feel.
My favorite show on Wednesday was the Global Fur Group with Fur Designer Zuki. His furs are the most outrageous; over the top avant-garde and artistic designs of everything I have seen the whole entire week. The work and craftsmanship is incredible. Zuki fur is recognized worldwide as one of a few truly innovative fur designers. To him fur is a medium of artistic expression, breaking all the rules and over extending the boundaries of design. His collection is double-face. On the fur side, elegance, then suddenly a fabulous surprise inside out. Appliqués of mink and beaver encrusted with Swarovski crystals throughout the entire coat or fur garment. Amazing to look at, amazing to wear and amazing to feel!!!!
With all this wonderful knowledge that I have attained from being invited to the FICA Shows is simply what should the Long Island Woman look for when buying a fur and if she doesn’t want to go into Manhattan to purchase a fur where is the next best place on Long Island?
In the glamorous world of high fashion & fur couture for the Long Island Woman I highly recommend Tres Chic Furs. Tres Chic offers the young elegant sophisticated woman many options. Their style runs the gamut from cutting edge trendy modern designs to classic styles in all types of high-end furs.
Tres Chic is located at 1175 Broadway, Hewlett, New York between Crescent Street and Franklin Avenue.
For more information visit their website www.treschicfurs.com to see what today’s modern woman desires. Classic furs ranging from Chinchilla, Fox, Lynx, Mink and my favorite darlings Sable. Tres Chic for the Long Island Woman with discriminating taste darlings!!!!
Their goal is to educate the American consumer on how to wear and care for luxury furs.
