For fall 2017 it’s time to think mink in a whole new way!

In the 1950’s that coveted mink coat or mink stole was a sign of affluence or arrival for the upwardly mobile.  Celebrities wrapped in mink on the silver screen and in photo shoots led generations of women to aspire to the glamorous look that mink promised.

In the 1980’s, the era of “power dressing” defined by strong shoulders and Dynasty-like opulence, mink became the yuppie fur.  As women climbed the corporate ladder the mink coat became a centerpiece of their corporate wardrobe, a reward of their hard work and a tell-tale sign of their achievement.

Today mink holds a very different place in the fashion landscape.  Sure, the luxury cache of mink still holds strong.  But fashion lovers and designers alike share a new fascination with the wide-ranging creative possibilities of mink. It can be woven, sheared, knitted, stenciled and richly dyed to allow for exciting creative explorations.   Designers this season have shown a deft hand at intarsia design, the art of laying out pieces of fur in mosaic-like patterns and hand-sewing them together to create bold, beautiful graphics.  Mink is appearing in dramatic new silhouettes, delicious colors, and innovative treatments. Even in its natural state the broad range of shades from whiskey gold to mahogany and white to grey as well as extraordinarily beautiful mutations such as jaguar mink and cross mink offer designers a rich template.

From luxe trims to arresting accessories and fresh, modern statement outerwear, the runways for fall 2017 were filled with mink.  And whether your taste leans toward sportswear chic, subtle elegance or streetwear savvy, it’s hard not to think mink this season!