DAVID APPEL FURS - A FURRIER

Fur has become an iconic staple of Los Angeles fashion. This is all thanks to the Hollywood film stars dating all the way back to the early to mid-1900’s. The popularity of fur in a desert city like Los Angeles is a bit ironic, but what can we say? We’ve all got to keep up with the Jones’ out here. Over the years trends in consumption and use of furs have changed vastly due to many social and economic factors... But one thing that has never changed is the importance of proper fur care, fur cleaning, and fur storage.

Although we all love fur in Los Angeles, unfortunately the fur itself does NOT love the Los Angeles climate. Here furs face two of their worst enemies every day… Excessive dry heat and moths! These are two factors that will damage the fur and its hide. Meaning you will have to part with your beloved fur long before you are prepared to. 

You may wonder why moths are bad to have around your furs, but its not necessarily the moth… It’s the eggs they lay in your furs. When moths enter your home they are looking for a warm, dark place to settle and lay eggs. Often times the place they choose is deep in the plush fur of your beloved fur coat hanging in your closet.

But wait, it gets worse. These eggs soon hatch into worm-like larvae that eat the fur and hide of all types of fur coats. And these larvae don’t just die. They turn into more moths that continue the cycle, intensifying the issue. A large community of moths inside your closet is really the worst scenario. This will lead to the spread of the issue to other fur coats, fur stoles, fur hats and maybe even to your favorite cashmere sweaters. Warm LA summers are the perfect environment for this cycle to occur. You’ll be in for a rude awakening come fall.

If the moth damage isn’t enough, the coats are also subjected to the harsh, dry Los Angeles heat. Excessive heat exposure drys out the furs natural oils. The lack of oils will cause the hide of the furs to become brittle and eventually fall apart. Without a strong hide to hold onto, the fur itself will begin to shed from your fur coat.

Putting your furs in proper fur storage with a reputable furrier, you can avoid moths, drying caused by excessive heat, and many other issues. A reputable furrier will be equipped with a temperature controlled fur storage vault. This will keep your fur coats, fur accessories, or shearling coats protected from the harsh Los Angeles climate. In the proper conditions, environmental damages are greatly reduced. And an added bonus? Moths and their larvae do not thrive in cold climates!

Proper fur storage facilities also have humidity control. Humidity is another factor that will lead to more rapid deterioration of your furs. And with the popularity of humidifiers in Los Angeles homes on the rise, it’s becoming increasingly important to keep this factor in mind.

When looking into fur storage, it is a good idea to ask about fur cleaning. Dirt, makeup, and oils will transfer from your face and hands or be picked up from your surroundings. A dirty fur will look flat and lifeless and add to the drying out of the furs natural oils. Fur coats cannot be dry cleaned! Dry cleaners are not able to properly clean and condition a fur.

A reputable furrier will be able to follow the proper protocol to clean a fur coat, fur accessory, or a shearling coat without causing any damage to the fur or hide. The furrier will also be able to properly condition the fur coat, keeping the furs lustrous, supple, and fluffy.

It's not too late to restore the fur coat if your fur has already been affected by environmental damages. But like with dry cleaners, do not take you fur coat to a tailor! A furrier will be much more knowledgeable and able to work with damaged or brittle furs. Did you tear your lining or the hide of the real fur? Is the coat developing bald spots? Or maybe you seem to have lost a closure over the years? These are just a few examples of issues that a furrier can usually repair with ease.

When it’s time to bring your fur coat to the modern era, there are many updates that can be made. Did you inherit a long fur coat from a family member that doesn’t quite fit your personal style? Then have it cropped into a fur bolero. And if you don't want the excess fur to go to waste, then you can always have it repurposed into a matching fur hat and fur muffs or even a fur stole. You don't like wearing fur? Convert it into a beautiful fur throw or fur pillows.

Or maybe you want to increase the versatility of your fur coat? Make it reversible and take that a step further by having the reverse side made from a water resistant material, the perfect winter fur coat for women or men. Increasing the use in such ways will allow the fur coats to bring more joy and utility to your life.

A professional furrier can handle any fur restyling. Restyling should be taken care of during the summer so the fur coats are ready for use when winter comes around. And an added benefit? The fur coats are kept in top notch fur storage and provided with detailed fur cleaning!