Fashion A FUR, FUR BETTER THING

Exciting things have been happening in the fur business lately. It was once very chic to own a fur coat, but the emphasis was definitely on the word “fur,” not “fashion.” Then, a few years back, dress designers like Oscar de la Renta, Geoffrey Beene, Dior, Norell, and Yves St. Laurent stalled getting into the act, There were gasps and cries of “Never!” among more traditional furriers but the result of this intervention was. as Joe Latham of James Hirsch. Inc. puts it. “a new fashion industry. Designers coming from the dress industry don’t have any mental blocks on how to handle fur.” The little mink stole has had to make way for new color choices – both dyed and natural shades – new dress-cut designs daytime, nighttime and casual – sporty fur. layering. fur combined with leather, suede, and even sweater knits. Perhaps the most innovative change: fur in pat-ins, which are often reversible, The furs on these pages illustrate some of the new trends. They have been provided by Szor-Diener Co.. Inc. and James Hirsch, Inc., Dallas fur manufacturers and wholesalers. Background photo: natural EMBA mink coat designed by Oscar de la Renta. The fur is handled like cloth: Small strips are sewn together in a pattern so that the coat can he worn with fur side in or out. From James Hirsch. 1. Lutetia and whites mink in a non-reversible herringbone pattern. Remove the lining and you’d see hundreds of tiny seams. From S/or-Diener,

2. Calvin Klein’s daytime rever, sible dress coat of grey flannel and lynx. From James Hirsch.

3. Labrador fox goes casualwhen combined with pigskin suede in a hooded parka with industrial zipper. Withstands the rigors of ski slopes. From .Szor-Diener. 4. Dior’s natural all-white

nutrial with hailgci collar and cuffs Pure luxury. From James Hirsch 5. The Lunaraine mink version of the French trench coat, a copy of an Yves St Laurent design. From Szor-Diener.