The Fur Book (english) by Kopenhagen Fur

KOPENHAGEN FUR

P. 4 – Welcome To Kopenhagen Fur P. 8 – Decades Of Experience And Expertise P. 10 – Kopenhagen Studio Pushes The Creative Possibilities P. 14 – From Stone Age To Modern Day P. 16 – Impressive Production And Selection P. 20 – Ideal Climate For Mink P. 22 – Mating And Breeding P. 26 – Fresh Feed P. 30 – Bringing Business Intelligence To Breeding P. 34 – Health Is A High Priority P. 38 – From Nature – Back To Nature

CONTENTS

P. 42 – Research Leads The Way P. 46 – Welfur – A New Part Of The Eu-Funded Welfare Quality® Project P. 50 – Advanced Grading And Sales P. 54 – The Largest Fur Auction In The World P. 58 – Africa’s Black Diamond P. 62 – Kopenhagen Fur Builds Kindergartens In Namibia P. 66 – An Explosion Of Innovation P. 70 – Fur Beyond Fashion P. 74 – A Consumer’s Guide To Exceptional Quality Fur P. 78 – Certified To Handle The World’s Finest Fur P. 82 – The Cutting Edge Of Creativity – Kopenhagen Studio P. 84 – Attracting Talent From Around The Globe P. 88 – Kopenhagen Studio In Beijing P. 92 – The Golden Fur Pin

WELCOME TO KOPENHAGEN FUR

Fur is one of nature’s most alluring gifts, treasured for its beauty and intrinsic ability to provide warmth. Evoking a myriad of emotions, with a luxurious appeal that transcends time. A focal point in fashion, fur is also one of the most tactile materials, surprising designers and consumers alike with its versatility. At the centre of the international fur trade is Kopenhagen Fur. An exclusive luxury brand as well as the largest fur auction house in the world. Owned by Danish fur breeders, Kopenhagen Fur is the leading provider of fur, recognized for its exceptional quality. Decades of experience and the volume of fur skins attribute to Kopenhagen Fur’s reputation as the only auction house in the world which can make the finest grading and labelling systems to ensure the ultimate in high quality. Having been in business for over 75 years, Kopenhagen Fur is steeped in tradition but with an ongoing aim for innovation. To this end, Kopenhagen Studio was established as a platform for creative people from all around the globe to push the boundaries of what’s possible with fur. Explo-

ring new techniques, spotting trends on the horizon and sharing innovative applications with fur for a range of creative realms, from fashion, to accessories, to interior design, decoration and more. As a leading provider of fur skins, Kopenhagen Fur strives to be the best in all aspects of its business. Balanced by a serious stance on Corporate Social Responsibility. Kopenhagen Fur supports a variety of social projects in the Third World, as well as numerous initiatives related to our associates, suppliers and customers. We are also strong advocates of animal welfare and go to great lengths to ensure the health and wellbeing of animals. In the following pages, we invite you to enter the universe of Kopenhagen Fur. Welcome to our world.

DECADES OF EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

Kopenhagen Fur is cooperatively own‑ ed by the members of the Danish Fur Breeders Association founded in 1930. In 1946, the association acquired ‘Kjøbenhavns Pelscentral’ and renamed it Danish Fur Auctions. Since then, the auction house has expanded to a staff of about 350 dedicated professionals. Today, Kopenhagen Fur is the name for both the association and the auction house itself. Located just outside of Copenhagen in Glostrup, Kopenhagen Fur holds five auctions a year, offering around 21 million mink skins, as well as fox, Swakara, chinchilla, seal, sable, rex rabbit and karakul skins. The annual auction turnover is around 930 million Euros. As nearly all the skins are exported, Kopenhagen Fur contributes significantly to Denmark’s foreign trade. Due to the sheer volume of skins sold through the auction house, highly skilled sorters and the use of advanced technology, Kopenhagen Fur is able to provide the best and most comprehensive range of fur skin types. This has established Kopenhagen Fur as the market leader. A position we have held for decades.

Since its inception, Kopenhagen Fur’s overall goal has been to develop, optimise and refine fur skin production by gathering and sharing knowledge, employing state-of-the-art equipment and ensuring the most humane condi‑ tions. With this intense focus on development comes an entrepreneurial spirit, which is at the core of Kopenhagen Fur’s values. Our corporate strategy is based on a very clear objective: To continue to be the global leader in the fur business, providing the best labelling system and quality assurance for customers. As we evolve our position as the most innovative partner to the fur and fashion industry.

KOPENHAGEN STUDIO PUSHES THE CREATIVE POSSIBILITIES

Since the dawn of time, fur has been appreciated for its protective qualities and ability to keep the body warm. So it should come as no surprise that cold countries continue using fur for that purpose, in particular Scandinavia, China, Russia, Canada, Greenland and the United States. In terms of fashion, these countries often feature fur on full-length coats, hats and boots. More and more, fur is used in untraditional ways due to its structure and versatility. For example, on dresses and jackets adorned with mink or chinchilla edging and collars, on boas sewn from coloured fox and skirts of karakul. To stir the imagination and inspire more creative uses of fur, Kopenhagen Studio, Kopenhagen Fur’s creative think tank and trend lab, acts as a dynamic partner for the international fur and fashion trade, exploring new ways of using the fashion world’s most luxurious material. Here designers are invited to experiment with new ways of sewing, dyeing, dressing and cutting. Leading to new fashion expressions with fur, such as scarves, belts, handbags, earmuffs, neckpieces and even iPod holders.

Situated in a cosy enclave near the Copenhagen waterfront, at Kopenhagen Studio anything is possible. It’s a creative oasis where you’re only limi‑ ted by your imagination.

FROM STONE AGE TO MODERN DAY

Fur is considered the oldest clothing known to man. Dating back to the earliest civilisations, fur has not only offered a protection against the cold. It has also been a highly valued commodity. In the Middle Ages, fur was a fas‑ hion accoutrement de rigor for nobility. The farming of fur took place much later, beginning in the 1800s primarily in Russia and Canada, quickly spreading to Europe. During the agricultural crisis in the 1930s, the interest in fur farming accelerated. In 1928, the first silver foxes were imported to Denmark and a few years later the first mink arrived. The number of mink farms rose continuously until the end of the 1980s, when it peaked at 5,000. Today, there are approximately 1,500 fur farms in Denmark. The average farm size has increased and fur skins are now one of Denmark’s largest exports. In fact, fur skin is Denmark’s largest export article to the boosting economy in China/Hong Kong. Fur is also the Danish product that has the greatest world market share according to the trade statistics.

IMPRESSIVE PRODUCTION AND SELECTION

Of all the furs used in fashion, mink is by far one of the most sought-after. Production of mink skins varies according to the ever-changing demands of designers and consumers alike. The change in weather, financial market and fashion trends all have a direct impact on demand. Currently, around 50 million mink skins are produced globally each year. Denmark is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest producer of mink skins with an annual production of around 14 million mink skins. Other key fur producing countries are Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, China and the US. In addition to mink, Denmark also produces a small number of other skins. MINK Mink is composed of two types of fur: top hair and wool. The colour variations of the mink range from black to white, including brown, bluish, violet and versions with different shades of top hair. The classic mink fur originating from the US is brown. However mink on farms are domesticated animals like cows, pigs and horses, meaning certain genetic properties can be

favoured in breeding like the colour of the fur. FUR RABBIT (CASTOR REX) Rex rabbits are considered the only rabbits with a fur suitable for garments. Rex rabbit fur is very much like velvet and extremely soft and silky, often bred in several colour variants. FOX Fox farmers raise blue and silver foxes. The blue fox occurs naturally in a blue and a white variant, originating from the regions around the Arctic Ocean. The silver fox is a close cousin to the red fox. It occurs in many colour variations from almost black to very light grey/white and from brown hues to red. CHINCHILLA The chinchilla hails from the Andes Mountains in South America. Chinchilla fur is produced in several colour variants although the original bluegrey with a white belly stripe is the most predominant. Danish chinchilla farmers are known for producing the finest chinchilla skins in the world.

IDEAL CLIMATE FOR MINK

The Danish climate, with its cool summers and mild winters, is ideal for fur animals. Replete with the resources for providing the best fresh, nutritious feed due to the availability of the ingredients such as fish. Denmark also has a longstanding tradition of animal husbandry. As a result, some fur farmers have additional types of agriculture, including other animals and crops. In order to breed the healthiest animals in the most appropriate way, Kopenhagen Fur has made substantial investments to continually optimise the environmental conditions on fur farms. We have worked in tandem with the Danish Animal Welfare Society (Dyrenes Beskyttelse) to establish the most suitable way for raising mink. In fact, the two organisations jointly recommended a set of rules for the proper farming of mink, which they submitted to the Ministry of Justice. These rules were adopted in January 2007. Additionally, Danish fur farmers use the latest IT advancements regarding management, control, breeding and analysis. These tools also give the farmer the best possible overview of the genetic progress of the herd, which ultimately contributes to a higher quality fur.

MATING AND BREEDING

NATURAL MATING The mating season starts in the beginning of March, lasting about two weeks. The females are mated twice, with the heat cycle carefully controlled by natural light conditions. Minks differ from other animals in that the actual act of mating is what initiates ovulation. Nine days after the first mating there is a new set of eggs in the ovaries. PREGNANCY Unlike other animals, the duration of pregnancy for minks can vary from 40 to 70 days because embryonic development does not begin until the eggs appear. Once this occurs, the pregnancy lasts an additional 30 days. GOOD START FOR KITS The birth period normally takes place between the 25th of April and the 10th of May. In large litters with more than 8 to 9 kits, it can be necessary to cross foster some of the kits to other dams, because a dam can have difficulty taking care of a large litter properly. Dams with small litters can easily adopt the extra kits from large litters.

When the kits are four weeks old, feeding on the lid of the nest box is initiated. This speeds up the kits’ ability to learn how to eat on their own, thus taking pressure off the dam. Later on, the kits must also learn how to drink from the farm’s regular watering system. LIFE CYCLE Once they are 8 weeks old, the kits are weaned from their dam. Around the 1st of July, the kits are then paired off, female and male, in order to ensure normal behavioural development. By the end of August, the physical development of the mink is more or less complete and continued weight gain consists primarily of fat. The selection of animals for the following year’s breeding stock begins at the end of October. This is when the animals’ size, behaviour, health and pelt quality are evaluated. Animals not selected for breeding are pelted. The pelting season begins in November/December. During the pelting process, the skin is prepared in such a way that it can keep for up to a year without being dressed. The skins are placed on drying boards in order

for them to maintain their shape during the drying process. The rest is recycled for use in the production of bio-diesel among other things.

FRESH FEED 26

Not unlike humans, mink are very sensitive to the quality of food and prefer to feast on fresh feed. In fact, the ingredients we use for mink feed are often by-products from factories producing food for human consumption. To ensure the stringent standards of high quality, Danish Mink Feed (Dansk Pelsdyr Foder) purchases the ingredients for the industry as a whole, also ensuring a consistent, daily supply to each farm. The feed is produced at feed kitchens distributed all over the country, consisting mostly of fish and waste cuts as well as plant proteins.

BRINGING BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE TO BREEDING

Kopenhagen Fur has heightened the quality of fur skins through years of commitment to business intelligence, where farmers and feed producers gain access to a wide range of up-todate information on nutrition, genetics and pricing. Consequently, this has also improved the profitability of the individual farms. Fur farmers have access to a large knowledge database that can be used for analysis to improve the production. Data across the production chain, from breeding and feeding to final auction sale prices is registered so the individual farmer can compare his own figures versus overall production. Along with special computer software that allows them to analyse which steps to take to improve their livestock. Currently, a key area of research and development is individual feeding. Since the ability to digest and absorb feed varies from animal to animal, individual feeding helps identify the feed efficiency. This optimises feed consumption whilst reducing costs. A recent breakthrough within genetic research at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Aarhus University has opened up possibilities of selecting

for feed efficiency in breeding. The model is incorporated in Kopenhagen Fur’s new breeding and management programme FarmCockpit, which is a supporting tool for the daily work out on the farms. Another area that benefits from modern technology is the pelting process. Nowadays, the process is carried out by something which proved to be much more efficient than humans. Namely computer-operated robots. Surprisingly, these robots improve the fur skin quality, as well as the working environment – since they have taken on the toughest jobs on the fur farms.

HEALTH IS A HIGH PRIORITY

The Danish mink farmers and local veterinarians carefully monitor the health conditions of the mink farms, implementing health programmes they have customised for the farms. Among other things, the Danish Fur Animal Laboratory keeps a close eye on any threats to the animals’ immune system, utilising vaccination programmes to ensure the health of the minks. As a result of these factors as well as loads of fresh air and proper accommoda‑ tions, Danish mink are very healthy.

From nature â&#x20AC;&#x201C; back to nature

Our approach to fur farming is extremely respectful of the environment and an excellent example of a natural, renewable and sustainable resource. All farming activities take place on the farm, limiting the need for transportation of the animals and thus reducing the production of CO2 to a minimum. Furthermore, the by-products of fur farming itself are used. Animal fats from mink are used in the production of bio-diesel. The rest is fully utilised for C02 neutral energy, as fertilisers for growing crops and for cement production, etc. Fur animal feed uses by-products from the fish and meat industries. Byproducts that would otherwise be disposed of. Denmark has one of the toughest environmental legislations in the industry and often serves an example for other fur producing countries. Fur apparel in itself is remarkably long wearing, unlike the trend towards disposable fashion â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which produces tons of unwanted materials (80% non-biodegradable synthetics) which end up in landfills. Fur garments can be easily recycled, tailored into a new design in keeping with changes

in fashion and consumer needs. Thus ensuring an even longer life-span from one generation to the next. Finally, fur is a product from nature and will eventually return to nature over time.

RESEARCH LEADS THE WAY

Kopenhagen Fur puts a priority on staying up-to-date on the newest deâ&#x20AC;&#x2018; velopments in fur via an array of comprehensive research activities. Areas of research include animal welfare, animal health, feed, environmental conditions, product quality, breeding and management. In doing so, fur breeders are able to continuously optimise conditions, breeding the healthiest animals in the most appropriate manner. Furthermore, Kopenhagen Fur cosponsors a series of research activities at the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Copenhagen and the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at Aarhus University. Additionally, several research activities have been carried out in cooperation with the Danish Animal Welfare Society.

WelFur – A new part of the EU-funded Welfare Quality® Project

Openness and transparency are key issues for the modern European furfarming sector. An essential part of this transparency is information on the welfare status of fur-farmed animals. As a leading member of the European Fur Breeders Association, Kopenhagen Fur strongly supports the WelFur Project on fur-farmed species, a new addition to the EU-funded Welfare Quality® Project. From 2004 to 2009, the Welfare Quality® Project developed general principles and criteria for animal-welfare assessment at farm level: good feeding, good housing, good health and appropriate behaviour. Detailed welfare-assessment protocols have been published for cattle, pigs, laying hens and broiler chickens, firmly based on scientific findings. Over the past 25 years, the welfare of the most important fur-farmed animals has been studied in depth, providing a scientific foundation for the application of the European Welfare Quality® project to fur-farmed animals.

The main outcome of the WelFur Project, carried out in cooperation with over eight universities across Europe, will be welfare-assessment protocols for mink, fox and finn raccoon by the end of 2010. The implementation of these protocols on fur farms is expected to start in 2012.

ADVANCED GRADING AND SALES

After pelting, the farmers send their fur skins to the Kopenhagen Fur auctions. A comprehensive grading process takes place so each skin lot presents itself as uniformly as possible. This is important, as even minor nuances in colour are detectable in the finished garment. The criteria for grading the skins are always the same. First the skins are graded according to colour, type and sex. Afterwards the skin length is measured, then the colour grading takes place. Much of the process is automated, using the latest computer technology. Then the skins are graded according to quality by highly skilled experts. Finally, each grading is finetuned and the previous gradings are double-checked. The skins are gathered in lots, each of which are given a lot number. Kopenhagen Furâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s labelling system sets the standard for the international fur trade and is based on advanced technology and years of experience with a focus on customer needs. As the only ISO-9001 certified auction house in the world, Kopenhagen Fur ensures a consistently high quality in grading. Going one step further

to identify the quality grading into four categories. The finest skins are called Kopenhagen Purple followed by Kopenhagen Platinum, Kopenhagen Burgundy and Kopenhagen Ivory.

THE LARGEST FUR AUCTION IN THE WORLD

Five times a year, the Copenhagen auction house becomes an international hub of fur experts and enthusiasts, where Chinese, Greek, Russian, English, German, Korean and Japanese, among several other languages, are spoken. At times, the hustle and bustle resembles Copenhagen Airport during rush hour much more than a Danish company in an otherwise tranquil residential neighbourhood in Glostrup. The excitement begins to build when the sales season kicks off - with the first auction in December, when skins are newly pelted, and ends in September, when the last skins are sold. Prior to each auction, five to six inspection days allow customers to examine and evaluate the skins. Each auction attracts between 300 and 500 customers from around the world. At Kopenhagen Fur, the hammer price goes to the highest bidder, setting the world market price for mink. At each of the five auctions, up to five million mink skins along with other fur types are offered for sale. In the course of just five days of auctions, Kopenhagen Fur can sell skins for totalling over 260 million Euros. That

translates into a sale of over 3,000 Euros per second. The Kopenhagen Fur auctions can be followed online with real-time prices, where the buyers and fur farmers have private access to their own personal data.

Africa’s Black Diamond

The fur of the Namibian Karakul sheep is known as Swakara, an abbreviation for South West African Karakul. Karakul sheep have been bred in Namibia since 1907, when the first sheep were imported from Central Asia. In a country where the stony de‑ sert and sandy soil limit agricultural activities, Karakul breeding is an important source of income. Karakul breeding in Namibia accounts for annual export earnings of 4.5 to 5.5 million Euros. The industry employs close to 20,000 people in the primary and satellite industries. Given Namibia’s social structure, most people working in the industry are families whose sole source of income is Karakul breeding. In addition to contributing to the sustainability of the Namibian society, the sheep help increase and maintain the vegetation in the barren desert which covers 80 percent of the country. As they stomp on the grass while grazing for food, they actually plant the grass seeds further into the ground. Grass seeds which the wind would otherwise carry away. Swakara has earned its rightful place as a favourite amongst designers and fashion houses for its exclusive

appeal, lustrous sheen and truly distinctive pattern of compact curves and swirls. While the natural colours of Karakul sheep consist of black, grey, white and brown, you will find over 200 different tone variations. Even one grey coloured Karakul features over five natural tones. Through a partnership with Kopenhagen Fur and the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF), Namibian sheep breeders and the Namibian government cooperated with the European Union to formulate and regulate a Code of Practice ensuring the welfare of the Karakul sheep. This work resulted in a Code of Practice which not only com‑ plies with European legislation and recommendations but also recommendations from the US, Canada and New Zealand. Meaning proud owners of Swakara fur garments can be assured of a quality eco-product produced in line with international standards. Swakara is sold exclusively through Kopenhagen Fur.

Kopenhagen Fur builds kindergartens in Namibia

It costs 40,000 Danish Kroner (DKK) to build a kindergarten for 30 children in Namibia, including all the necessary furniture and teaching material. Furthermore, a couple of hundred kroner per day pays for food for the 600 children who attend the 12 kindergartens supported by the Kopenhagen Fur charity organization. For some of the children, it might be the only meal they eat during the day. The kindergartens are situated in Katutura, a slum area in a suburb of Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. The first children attended Kopenhagen

Fur-funded kindergartens in 2006 and are now in school, where they do well. The official language of Namibia is English but most of the Katutura children do not speak English at home. That puts them at a disadvantage, behind the other students when they start school. The aim of the kindergartens is to improve the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elementary knowledge of the English language, as well as their skills with mathematics, understanding of nature and the necessity of personal hygiene. When Boas Ekandjo Pre-Primary School was inaugurated on 14 October

Kopenhagen Fur charity organization

The charity organization was established

The charity organization always supports

in 2006.

children in countries where Kopenhagen Fur has business interests.

The aim is to help destitute children around the world.

The charity members are employees at Kopenhagen Fur who support the organisation

The current focus is on Namibian children. Prior to this project, Russian orphans have received aid from this charity.

with a monthly fee.

2010, Kopenhagen Furâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former Sales Director Erik Neergaard was the guest of honour. One of Kopenhagen Furâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most important customers, Chinese Robert Lam, bought a lot of fur skins for 550,000 DKK at a special sales event held during the September auction in 2009. The entire amount was earmarked for the charity project in Namibia. It was a portion of these proceeds which enabled the building of the kindergarten.

AN EXPLOSION OF INNOVATION

After the buyers have bought their fur skins, they send them off to be dressed (tanned), where the skins are softened and preserved. Traditionally, Italy and Greece have had large dressing industries but today much of the dressing is done in the Far East, where production costs are lower as fur manufacturing is quite labour-intensive. Once the skins are dressed, they are ready for sewing. Many of the skins are dyed and the leather side is often suede-treated, nappa-treated or printed. The fur side can be plucked, sheared or laser-printed in many different ways. Over the past ten years, there has been an explosion of innovation, with fur appearing in more shapes and designs than your traditional brown mink coat. The work of the furrier includes calculating how many skins are required for a single fur coat and, together with the designer, deciding which technique to use for the particular fur. There are numerous methods to choose from. Letting out is a process by which the furrier obtains a longer and more uniform piece of skin to work with. The skin is cut in 4 to 5 millimetre-wide strips which are sewn together.

To gallon is to combine the fur with other material to obtain another exâ&#x20AC;&#x2018; pression in the fur. Some of the more noteworthy and novel techniques inâ&#x20AC;&#x2018; clude the snake technique, the tile technique and the twisting technique. The list is long and growing...

FUR BEYOND FASHION

Typically, it takes one year from the time a fur skin is sent to the auction house until the finished fur product is ready for the consumer. Although a large part of the global production of fur skins is concentrated in Northern Europe, the furs are sent on to be properly dressed and then sold all over the world. Previously, North America, Russia and Europe were the largest markets for fur retail sales, but in recent years, the markets in the Far East and Asia have risen significantly, particularly in Hong Kong and China. A few years ago, the finished products were sold primarily in specialised fur boutiques. Now, furs are in‑ creasingly being sold in fashion shops and department stores. With its increasingly versatility, fur can easily be incorporated into the look and feel of the latest haute couture collections. Able to follow fashion trends in terms of design, colours and special effects. At the same time, the use of fur has expanded. From the traditional fashion and accessories to interior design objects and decorative details. For example, mink has amazing durability. So a coat from last season can

easily be transformed into cushions or even a tea cosy in whatever to match the colour scheme in your home. What’s more, fur appeals to a much more diverse group of consumers than ever before – in terms of income, age, life-style and geographic location. One trend worth citing is the popularity of fur in the Hip Hop scene, having undergone a major transformation in the US from underground to affluent and global. Even the loose-fitting tracksuit has been combined with fur for extra caché. Substitute a suit and tie with a fur trimmed tracksuit and you have fur as the signature style statement in the Hip Hop sense of aesthetics. Fur has also evolved from elegant winter wear to everyday wear designed to be worn for all seasons – and all reasons. A shift in demographics has led to a more casual approach overall to attire. It’s not unusual to see women wearing jeans with a fur accessory to the theatre. Wearing fur when they pick up their children from school. Or men wearing fur.

A CONSUMERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GUIDE TO EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY FUR

Kopenhagen Furâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quality labels are an excellent guide for consumers wanting to buy fur. By choosing a fur garment with one of these labels, consumers are assured that the fur is of the highest quality possible. Sewn into the finished garment by furriers and producers, the four labels are: Kopenhagen Purple, Kopenhagen Platinum, Kopenhagen Burgundy and Kopenhagen Ivory.

How to care for your fur 1.

Fur needs to breathe, so allow it to hang freely on a broad shouldered or

3. Have your fur cleaned by a professional fur cleaner every year or every

padded coat hanger. Do not store it in a synthetic garment bag. To avoid

fading, keep it away from direct sunlight to avoid fading.

other year, depending on how often you use it.

4. During the summer or when you do not use your fur for long periods of 2. When your fur is wet from rain or snow, simply shake it and hang it up in a

time, it is advisable to store your fur with a profes-sional furrier or another

dry, well-ventilated room. Avoid any direct heat sources as this would

fur storage facility where it will be kept at the right temperature. If you

damage the fur. Once it is dry, shake it again. It is now ready to wear.

prefer to store your fur at home, choose a dark, cool and ventilated room.

Certified to handle the world’s finest fur

A number of fur retailers have been classified as “Kopenhagen Fur Certified Boutiques”. The classification means that these retailers are engaged in a partnership with Kopenhagen Fur aimed at improving their services to the consumer. The staff from a Kopenhagen Fur Certified Boutique undergoes training from the Kopenhagen Fur Retail Academy. The training sessions involve learning Kopenhagen Fur’s brand values, labelling system and fur qualities, as well as general knowledge about fur skins, sales techniques and fashion trends. Retailers participating in the Kopenhagen Fur Certified Boutique programme are offered marketing materials and presentations showing the latest in fur fashion. In addition, the academy provides qualified guidance to the sales staff. Upon completion of the training programme, the participants are presented with a diploma. These initiatives are designed to enhance the experience of customers visiting a Kopenhagen Fur Certified Boutique. The Certified Boutiques concept was established by Kopenhagen Fur in China in 2007 and is steadily spreading to other parts of the world.

THE CUTTING EDGE OF CREATIVITY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; KOPENHAGEN STUDIO

Kopenhagen Fur is at the forefront of new developments in the use of fur and is committed to bringing innovation to the fashion and fur industry. To this end, we have established Kopenhagen Studio as the innovation hub and creative house of Kopenhagen Fur. Located overlooking the waterfront in the vibrant heart of Copenhagen, Kopenhagen Studio continuously strives to discover new techniques of working with the raw material, with a constant focus on developing new tools to enable them. The studio also works to ensure the use of fur in the fashion industry and other designrelated industries.

ATTRACTING TALENT FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

Kopenhagen Studio is also platform of exchange, offering the opportunity to explore fresh ideas and applications previously impossible with fur. Selected representatives from various aspects of the fashion industry are invited to Kopenhagen Studio to experiment with new ways of working with fur. Amidst an ambience of innovation, both new designers as well as known names in the business from international fashion houses have the chance to work with our in-house furri-ers, designers and other fur professionals, who contribute their expertise. This dynamic link between the fur industry and fashion extends to other design sectors, such as furniture, textiles, interior décor and art. As a result, Kopenhagen Studio’s endeavours can be found not only on the couture catwalks, in prêt-a-porter collections and street fashion, but also in the realm of architecture, retail interiors, lighting, sculpture and decorative arts. Our vision is to become the focal point for designers to come and share ideas, spot emerging fur trends, invent ground-breaking techniques

or simply be inspired to think differently. At the top of the agenda is to challenge conventional perceptions about fur and discover novel ways to evolve fur as nature’s most luxurious material. Guests invited to Kopenhagen Studio are provided with workshop facilities, seminars and a wide range of marketing activities covering all aspects of the trade. Kopenhagen Studio also boasts a showroom with various exhibitions featuring the latest developments in fur, with examples of the best and most innovative fur products on the market. The everchanging exhibition is another good reason for visiting Kopenhagen Studio whenever you are in Copenhagen. The creative output from Kopenhagen Studio is also showcased during the fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris when designers and fashion houses present their new collections for the international press, Hollywood celebrities and fashion influencials. In terms of the future, Kopenhagen Studio goes one step further. By investing in the future of fur through a cooperation with some of the world’s

top design school in the training of young designers. Individual design students are invited to the Copenhagen headquarters of Kopenhagen Studio for inspiration and the chance to continue their creative exploration of fur.

KOPENHAGEN STUDIO IN BEIJING

China is one of Kopenhagen Fur’s most important markets. The export of mink skins accounts for as much as one third of Denmark’s combined exports to China/Hong Kong. Many skins are tanned, treated and sewn into garments in China and re-exported. At the same time, increasing amounts of skins are sold to Chinese consumers within China. In recent years, the demand in China for fur has accelerated dramatically, driven by the country’s increasing growth rates. To accommodate this demand, Kopenhagen Fur established a regional office in China. In January 2007, our presence in China was enhanced with a design centre in Beijing called Tsinghua Kopenhagen Studio, which was inaugurated to-gether with the leading Chinese university, Tsinghua University. Design students at Tsinghua Kopenhagen Studio are given the opportunity to work closely with fur, acquiring the special skills and expertise which fur entails. And the two design centres, in Tsinghua and Copenhagen, work closely together. Tsinghua University is China’s leading university with well over 30,000 students enrolled from all over China.

Admission is highly competitive and at the faculty for art and design, only 200 students are chosen for enrollment each year from more than 17,000 applicants. Students work with a wide range of fur types and are given fur techniques developed by Kopenhagen Studio to use and refine in the process of designing with fur. Design graduates from Tsinghua University usually move on to influential positions within the Chinese fashion scene. Similarly, Tsinghua Kopenhagen Studio graduates win numerous fashion awards for creativity and are often hired by leading fashion brands due to the creative skills they’ve developed in their intense study of fur.

THE GOLDEN FUR PIN

The Golden Fur Pin is one of Denmark’s most prestigious design awards, giving young, talented students the opportunity to work creatively with fur. It’s an exciting award competition organised by Kopenhagen Fur. Students at Danish fashion and design schools are given the opportunity to enter the competition in three categories: Clothing Home Wear Accessories Based on initial design sketches, a jury selects three contestants in each category whose designs are then transformed into fur. Entrants, who typically have no prior experience working with fur, are given substantial introduction to fur production and the fur trade, as well as the specific qualities of working with fur. During the competition, each entrant has a furrier at his or her disposal to help turn their ideas into reality. The competition is tough and they’re under a tight deadline to deliver. So the pressure is on to create a new fur masterpiece!

The final entries are evaluated by a jury of prominent representatives from Danish fashion at a live show attended by various members of the press and fashionistas alike. The winner in each category is chosen based on the most innovative use of fur. In addition to the Golden Fur Pin award, each winner is awarded a select number of mink skins to continue his or her creative endea‑ vours in fur design.

KOPENHAGEN FUR Langagervej 60 2600 Glostrup Denmark

Tel. +45 4326 1000 Fax +45 4326 1126

Beijing office Oriental Kenzo Plaza Office Bldg. Room 22 j, Dong Zhi Men Wai St. no. 48 Dong Cheng District Beijing, 100027 China

Tel. +86 10 8447 6804 Fax +86 10 8447 7284

KOPENHAGEN STUDIO Forbindelsesvej 4 2100 Copenhagen Denmark

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