Ah!
You know when you prepare a post, then find it weeks later in draft format in your bloggy list? Yep, that is what happened to this post.....
Anyway, Happy Tuesday.......and by God, it's cold here in the UK, it's lunchtime and the icy fog is only just starting to lift - worst still, I think my boiler is on the way out! It's doing this leaking thing along one of the pipes - I will have to call the man!
So, aside from being fr-ee-zing, I've actually been writing today. I mean I know I'm writing like, all the time, but what I mean is, I've been writing songs! Actual Songs! I think I've been blocking out all emotions over the past year since my brother passed - this really isn't a surprise to me; I knew I was doing it, I just had no control over how to stop it. This morning, I fought through those issues the best I can and yes, I actually wrote a song on the piano :) Happy days!
So, back on track.......my coats. I bought these gorgeous, immensely heavy vintage astraka coats nearly two years ago in a charity shop.
One is from Paris, the other London. It's a little difficult to research these coats, as I can't find much information online. I know that these coats were mass produced at one point, a faux version....bearing a resemblance to the original Astrakhan coats. I also know, it's difficult (well, to me anyway) to tell the difference between a real one and a faux one. I do however believe that the one with the orange lining is real, as it's quality seems better than the other. Of course, I am probably wrong, but one can speculate. Both of these coats have a mink collar and both are so, so heavy and warm.
I'm a little funny about real fur if I'm honest, in fact I'm not entirely comfortable owning it, let alone wearing it. I know a lot of vintage girls wear it daily with confidence and that's great, vintage furs should never be thrown away or be locked up in the loft. I also know it's a lot controversial in this day and age and everyone has their own opinion! However, I do own a couple of vintage fur items and really, that is that!
I'm going to try and research these coats further at some point, as I'd like to know a little more about their history and how to care for them.
If anyone has any further information on these types of coat, I'd love to hear from you :)
Absolutely gorgeous coats! And such bargains.
ReplyDeleteI was really happy when I found them :O
Deletewhat gorgeous coats!
ReplyDeleteunfortunately i can't be of any help - i too thrifted a gorgeous black coat with a blonde mink collar that has the Astra Furs Paris label on the inside (along with a warning saying "to be cleaned cautiously in white spirit only" in french, english & german!) & haven't been able to find out any information :( i will let you know if i ever manage to find out more though
Cheray x
These finds are great aren't they? I think I was just in the right place at the right time :) I keep searching the internet for more information to no avail haha! Hope you have better luck x
Deletewow, amazing coats. i have one from my granny. sadly it's pretty heavy and i get aching shoulders, when i wear it too long. ... but tonight is the night. i will wear it to go out to have sushi with friends.
ReplyDeleteYes, give that coat an outing :) I bet it looks fabulous on you dear! I really need to wear mine more too, but yes, they are incredibly heavy x
DeleteI also have the exact same coat handed down to me from my family. The coats are made from Persian Lamb. If you type into Google, Excuse me, Ma'am, Are you wearing Fetal Lamb by Elsa Bob, HSUS, March 16th 2001. It explains the horrific torture and suffering these mothers and fetal lambs go through, not for food but for their fur. I felt sick to my stomach after reading this. I will not be promoting this coat, in fact I want to burn it. I hope this is of help. I'm sure our ancestors were not aware of this, the power of the Internet!
ReplyDeletewhy would you burn it??? so.. the poor animal was torture and died for nothing...??? at least owe it, wear it , take care of it and love it... im totally against the use of animals in fashion .. but what is done is done..
DeleteI'm inclined to agree with you Jose, what's done is done and we can only respect and appreciate that.
DeleteHi, I just bought a coat today on the Gold Coast Australia. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteDON'T THINK YOU'LL BE NEEDING A FUR COAT ON THE GOLD COAST AUSTRALIA
ReplyDeleteWhy would I want to owe, wear, take care of and love a coat that some poor animal suffered for my vanity! What's done is done....these barbaric practises are still happening in todays world, how could anyone 'respect' and 'appreciate' this!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTrue, and whilst I agree with you to a certain extent, does that mean we should burn ALL vintage furs? am I really barbaric for making the most of what's "done is done"......why disrespect a poor hunted animal anymore by destroying what has been left behind? Does this make sense to you?
DeleteI personally am not a fur wearer, but I have friends that wear vintage furs all of the time and that's up to them, I neither agree or disagree on that one - obviously, I could never condone any new fur use - but that's a whole separate argument in my opinion.
You are contradicting yourself here Emma...'I could never condone any new fur use', does his mean you condone old fur use? This is why there is a market ' for new fur use!! If you read Elsa Bob's blog that I wish to point out is dated 2001 and not in our great or grandmother's era of the 19th century, this is not old fur use! That style of coat is not being made today as it's old fashioned, where do you think our modern looking furs comes from. As long as people buy old or new fur there will always be a trade for fur, this I would never promote this old or new, another hundred years from now, our modern furs today will be antique/vintage, this is why this vile trade will never cease.
ReplyDeleteYes, of course I see your point......vintage furs at the time were readily available to purchase, it wasn't frowned upon I suppose as it is nowadays, which doesn't make it 'ok' by any means - maybe I'm naive, I'm no expert. Nowadays "new" furs are a MASSIVE no no for a lot of people, including myself - but you cannot deny that vintage furs play a huge role in vintage fashion and history.
DeleteMany people hate the idea of nazi antiques, myself included - but where would we be in society if we burned and banished anything to do with Hitler? It might now be the same thing entirely, both things however are an integral part of our history - which we should learn from.
Unfortunately, Hitler is part of history - but his history is not being manufactured on a mass production level today, what an insult that would be to all those millions of innocent people that suffered at his hands. This is an entirely different conversation altogether, we are talking about the 'Fur Trade'. I think Emma, you are being a little naive about what is happening in our cruel world even today. You innocently bought a coat I do not blame you. You said you wanted information on these coats in you blogs and I gave you this information, what you do with this is entirely up to you.
ReplyDeleteThis is the issue with real fur, this discussion is nothing new, people are asking the same questions everyday - it's an argument many people have had on AND off of the internet for years, and will contiune to have for years to come.
DeleteI've previously stated, and maybe I am naive - but I am allowed, and will have an opinion of my own.....some people buy new furs, illegally still - MY opinion is not of consequence. Some people buy and wear vintage furs, yet again, my opinion is of no consequence - other people throw red paint at anyone that wears or owns them, once more, my opinion does NOT matter. Some people choose to keep their opinions/beliefs to themselves and others preach to anyone that will listen. I am the former..........
I am fully aware of the controversy that surrounds old and new fur alike......I am not saying I am right in my opinion, nor you wrong in yours. It is about preference and individual choice at the end of the day. You are right about Hitler of course, but my point is: wars are still fought today – innocent people all over the world lose their lives and for what purpose? You can't change the world and everyone in it based on an opinion, or by what's right and what's wrong, as much as we'd like to. But yes, this is a whole different issue.
You say you provided me with information about my coats, but actually you didn't tell me anything I hadn't already pointed out in my blog post - you just came by to show your disgust and to shout your opinion about, which is fine of course.....but you can't say "I gave you this information, what you do with this is entirely up to you" it's an opinion, what can I do with that?! I'm fully aware of the Fur Trade, I am not naive to that......but I think this is something we'll obviously have to agree to disagree on.
Your blog says, "These finds are great arn't they? As I keep searching the internet for more information to no avail ha ha. Hope you have better luck! What I came back to you with was the information about these coats that YOU asked for! Like you, I have my opinion that was not directed at you, but my own personal opinion about what I was going to do with MY coat. This is not even about opinion's, it is written in black and white where these coats come from, why don't you read it for yourself and do whatever you want with your coat and I will do what I want with mine and burn it. Also, aren't in English means (are not), yes I do agree with you there... they aren't great finds!!!!!!!!! You take your opinion's with you and wear your coat with pride, is ignorance bliss or what! Good luck and goodbye to all you vintage blogger's with your vintage lifestyles and most of all vintage opinions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletewith so many people hiding their opinions and advises behind an 'Anonymous' name, it's difficult to tell who wrote what.........but I thank you for your input on this discussion - it's interesting to hear different points of view on these types of delicate issues - a difference in opinion is part of what makes us all human after all.
DeleteNot so many people, just one and other anon, had to laugh about that comment...No need for fur in Oz, maybe she should move to Russia or Scotland, she will get more wear out of her coat there!
ReplyDeleteIt's a little hard to keep up, but through the content left I can see which comments have been left by your dear self (I think) - yes I totally agree, not much need for a big coat in Oz, it must be tough living in a hotter climate all the time (ie: OZ) and I sure do appericate our dramatic season changes here in the UK :)
DeleteYou live in the UK, alot of animal lovers in the UK. ;-) Bye enjoy your coat!
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteThe source of real Astrakhan is just as you say but traditionally as a bi-product of farming the meat so no more horrific than wearing leather shoes. However the coat's in the photograph are NOT animal (apart from the mink collar) They are made from Astra Fur Fabric - long strings of tightly coiled wool, wiggled onto a surface and fixed with glue - I know because I've repaired many. This was more popular/affordable in the early 50's when these coats were made.
Why not remove the collar and replace with a good faux and enjoy these fabulous vintage find.
Steph Edwards
Vintage dealer - Bridport market every Wed & Sat