Fur
As a brand, sustainability and responsibility remain a focal point within our ethos, we also endeavour to teach and enlighten our clients about fur and that it is much more than a material, it is actually one of the most sustainable materials in the world, with a potential lifespan of decades; if cared for properly.
The fur industry has been highly regulated in Western Europe for decades, and was the first type of livestock farming to benefit from welfare regulations. Here at Nellie Studio, we strive to ensure that our skins are the result of farming that has met the highest welfare standards. The European Commission’s Welfare Quality® project looked to the scientific community to define what represents good animal welfare, and as a result, established the following four welfare principles: Good Housing, Good Feeding, Good Health and Appropriate Behaviour. WelFur bases their protocol on the same four principles.
1. Good Feeding: Access to fresh water and a diet that maintains full health and vigour.
2. Good Housing: An appropriate environment maintained at the correct temperature, with a comfortable resting area, and enough space for the animals to move around freely.
3. Good Health: The animals should be free from pain, injuries, disease and enjoy high standards of hygiene and care.
4. Appropriate Behaviour: The animals should express species-specific behaviours, and normal, non-harmful, social behaviours.
Sustainability
Fur is a natural fashion material and is a renewable resource with exceptional thermal qualities. It is biodegradable and has much less impact on landfills and oceans than plastic-based synthetic textiles. The global textile market is dominated by synthetic textiles such as polyester. Not only does the production of these textiles release a significant amount of greenhouse gasses, the pollution associated with its end-of-life disposal has become a major environmental threat.
Fur Production as a Circular Economy
Fur production is a great example of a circular economy. It states that real fur is long-lasting. It’s true – fur garments have an extraordinarily long-life span and can be enjoyed for several decades. What’s more, re-use of fur is common, with garments being passed down from generation to generation or sold second-hand. Repairing and re-modelling of fur garments is also popular, supporting the use of fur for as long as possible.
The feed that fur animals consume also supports the circular economy, as it is produced using fish-, pig- and chicken offal, by-products from the production of human-grade food. Although it’s the fur that is most valuable, the rest of the animal is used in a range of different bio products including green energy, fertiliser, and bio diesel.
Care and Aftercare
During our fur production process, our textile is treated, hand-dyed, cut and sewn; all by hand. Many loose hairs remain in and on the fur panels, not to be confused with shed hairs. Because of the extensive processing our furs undergo, it is normal for clients to experience shedding to the touch and within the first few wears.
As our furs are folded during transportation, we advise clients to air out your furs by hanging them in a cool, dry place for up to 24hrs. You may also use a blow-dryer on the cool setting to blow away any excess shedding you experience. Some items, particularly lighter coloured furs, shed more than others, but this is nothing to worry about, as we ensure shedding minimises after a handful of wears.