Fashion Moment

Statement Fur

Jean Paul Gaultier loves the concept of taking distasteful ideas and turning them into high fashion.  His collections blurred the lines between feminine and masculine fashions in the 1980s, and have consistently referenced sex and power.  It’s not hard to see why – that in the controversy surrounding it- Gaultier loves animal fur in fashion.

Fur is fascinating to man, and the value of animal skins is embedded in our cultural history.  There is nothing more beautiful than nature’s design, and animal skins became a status symbol of power and wealth as royalty embraced its aesthetic qualities.  Mink, fox and exotic cat were particularly favoured amongst kings and emperors for their exclusiveness, as it was a powerful, intimidating way of dressing that poorer classes couldn’t afford.  It was embraced by the fashion world at the turn of the century, and epitomised glamour and wealth.

 Whether you love it or hate it, Gaultier in particular promoted the use of fur in fashion in the 1970’s, and since then animal fur’s relationship with fashion has failed to be diminished.  Even after the extreme revolt against the use of furs in fashion in the 1980’s, fur slowly crept its way back on to the catwalks.

There is something powerfully seductive about the luxury of fur.  It remains a product to which only the wealthy can indulge in, a fashion statement that epitomises iconic glamour.  To throw on a fur coat is to be blatantly extravagant, and demands a fierce and haughty attitude managed with total sophistication.  If in indulged in, it should be a guilty pleasure.