Int'l fur design competition

INTERNATIONAL FUR TRADE FEDERATION PRESS RELEASE, MARCH 8, 2005

Italian Design Team to Award Top Prize for International Fur Design Competition
International Fur Trade Federation Announces Three Short-Listed Designs

The Italian manufacturers of Vivienne Westwood's Red Label line, Vivienne Westwood Man, Dsquared2 and Martin Margiela will provide the top prize for the winner of the IFTF International Fur Design Competition 2005.

With a company philosophy of supporting fresh emerging design talent, Staffr International will work with the competition winner over a week's placement at their north Italian headquarters.

The International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF), which organises the annual competition in association with MIFUR, has also announced the three young designers who will go to Milan for the final round. Although the identities of the finalists remain secret until the overall winner is announced, two are from Europe and one from the Far East.

The three short-listed designs are:

A purple mink cape
A silver fox, coyote, Tibet and Kalgan lamb coat
A blue and black rex rabbit hooded jacket

The 44 entries, which reflected a broad range of fur types and innovative design techniques, were judged on the basis of creativity and imagination, technical understanding, feasibility of production and "saleability".

Dr Robert Liska, IFTF's PR Committee Chairman, said: "We were very impressed with the high standard of entries for the competition. This year, we also have an increase of countries participating - 21 in total - which reflects the truly international nature of the event. We are now looking forward to debating the final choice in Milan."

All 44 entries will be displayed during MIFUR, where visitors to the fair will be able to vote on their favourite of the short-listed designs. All pieces will be modelled in a multi-media fashion tableau at the final event, to be attended by young designers, members of the fur trade and the international fashion media.

The first round jury reflected the international scope of the competition and included Gilles Bensimon, publication director of ELLE US; Joan Kaner, Senior Vice-President of Fashion at Neiman Marcus; Russian designer Irina Krutikova; Adrienne Ma, Managing Director of Joyce Boutiques; US red carpet commentator Joan Rivers; Franca Sozzani, editor of VOGUE Italia and UK designer Tristan Webber.

The competition was introduced by IFTF in 2004 to showcase innovative fur design to an international audience and to support upcoming young designers. It is open to schools, students and young designers who have graduated within the past two years, with each entry submitted through an IFTF member association.

Notes to editors:

1. First established in 1949, the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF) is a federation of 36 national fur trade associations and organisations from 30 countries. Through its work and the activities of its members, IFTF seeks to protect fur trade interests and to promote innovation, high standards and a positive factual image of fur and the fur industry internationally.

2. MIFUR, the International Fur & Leather Exhibition, is held annually in Milan. For more information, visit www.mifur.com

3. Staff International is an Italian based company that manufactures in Italy and distributes brands such as, Dsquared2 man and woman, Martin Margiela 1, 4, 6 and 10, 14, Vivienne Westwood Red Label and Man. For more information visit www.staffinternational.com

For further information e-mail the IFTF press office at pressoffice@iftf.com

Home