Fake fur fashions: Designers who do it right
Clothing and accessories that use fake fur and exotic skins are available in a range of prices. Here’s a list of lines and brands whose offerings feel more fine than faux:
Aldo
Fake fur is showing up on just about every kind of accessory that’s offered by this Canada-based retailer, including shoes, bags, ear muffs, scarves, belts and hats. And the result is surprisingly stylish, with prices ranging from $18 to $60. A backpack with “rabbit” pockets is especially chic and adds a little texture to an otherwise sporty staple; the Aldo “Pursel” backpack is $55.
Burning Torch
The L.A.-based brand is known for an earthy boho vibe. Its selection of fake-fur vests and coats for fall carries out that aesthetic and adds lots of texture to an ensemble. The Burning Torch Desert Fox reversible Faux Fur vest is $386.
Bloch
Snake-skin prints are popping up this season, especially on shoes and bags. Dance-wear company Bloch is marketing several styles of dainty flats in a textured faux-leather snake print. Faux snake shoes range from $145 to $236; the reptile oxford is $145.
Dennis by Dennis Basso Collection
New York-based Basso, who has been designing his collection for OVC for the last 18 years, used fake fur from the start. His accessories and home wear (“chinchilla” blankets and hats) consistently are bestsellers. Prices range from $29 to $199; the Dennis by Dennis Basso Collection faux fur jacket $190.
Timeless by Naeem Khan
Khan will launch a line of all faux-fur jackets, full-length coats and vests for HSN in mid-November. Prices range from $99 for a scarf to $999 for a long fake-fur coat; the Timeless by Naeem Khan Ocelot printed vest is $449.90.
Everyday Exotics by Raven Kauffman
Designer Raven Kauffman is no stranger to luxurious accessories. Her couture collection of handbags and belts hits the higher end of the price scale, and her purses are carried on the red carpet by a bevy of celebs. But this season she has shifted some of her focus to creating items done in a hand-cast rubber for a collection called Everyday Exotics. The “skins” are hand-poured, molded and painted to look convincingly like crocodile or alligator and stitched together with recycled ultra-suede. The bags are vegan and water-resistant, which makes them more flexible than bags made of skin. Prices also are less precious than for the real thing. Bags range from $295 to $695.
