Elegant Warmth at J. Mendel Fall 2012

Fur was one of the biggest trends for Fall 2012 at NY fashion week.  The family business of J. Mendel has been doing fur for five generations.  For their runway show at Lincoln Center, Gilles Mendel presented a mix of chic evening wear and luxe fur dresses.

The evening looks were a mix of beaded art deco gowns or sexy dresses with strategic cut-outs.  The fur pieces ranged from hip vests to sheared, tailored dresses or cozy coats.  The color palette of this collection was warm, but basic.  Lots of brown tones, mustard, dramatic black and classic ivory went down the runway.

I have a lot of friends who are against fur, and were not too happy with the abundance of it this season.  While I am sympathetic to their views, I am not a vegetarian.  There are native cultures that survive on the fur trade.   There are very few companies where families are willing to continue on the tradition of their ancestors. How do you deny a family their legacy?

Photos by David T.W. Leung