Permanent development of technologies in modern world has, as every process, both positive and negative influence on human beings and environment. From one side, it harms our nature, but as well gives us new possibilities to use planet’s resources. Good example of this compromise is new turn of the plot about trade of sea wild animals.
This kind of hunting appeared in 1 century B.C. In the Northern part of Pacific ocean seaside habitants provided themselves by hunting at big sea wild animals such as whals, walruses and seals. They used meat and fat for heating and lighting of their houses, made of skins as well as their boats, clothes and shoes, for food and even paid tributes with it. In the 18-th century along with progress it has come period of ship’s industrial trade. While Russia and Norway traded wild animals in White and Barentzevo seas, Canadian men made that near Greenland and Newfoundland. Meat and blubber-oil were of the greatest interest because of their medicinal properties and were widely used for tuberculosis and sore treatment. Besides vitamin A and other pharmaceuticals were made on their basis. Skins were very rough and greasy as there were no technology of dressing so they couldn’t be used. In the territory of ex-Soviet Union mostly total number of seal’s skins was used for production of men’s hats.
In the beginning of the 20-th century there appeared strict quotation of trading with many regulations and prohibitions because of dramatic reduction of the number of wild sea animals. In our days the trading of Atlantic seal is also strictly quoted. Now in Canada there is established Scientific and Research Institute, making forecast and quotation on the base of data about total number of animals, fish and other factors. The annual number of seal’s skins is only about 375.000 (just to compare – world quantity of mink is 40 mln. skins). They are bought by limited number of companies, specialized on deliveries of this half-finished product.
Now it’s absolutely clear why we consider seal’s skins to be not in current use and very exclusive natural materials. This fir was always a dream for designers because of its tremendous durability (it is very close to standard – otter fur and is twice as more durable as mink), unique texture and great stability to moisture. The last technologies give us possibility to dress these skins of animals, living in ice-cold water and having 10 cm. fat layer on the body , making skin durable, fur silky, keeping different colors and natural spotty pattern, giving skins unusual softness. There are very few companies in the world, having secrets of this processing.
The leader of this market is RIEBER SKINN A/S, making this business for 130 years. In 1998 the company came to Russian market with half- finished seal skins of absolutely new quality. So, for fashion world this was the second birth of seal’s fur.
And very soon, in 1999, Moscow company BOS BISON, famous for the quality and original ideas for men’s clothes from fur and leather, showed its first seal fur collection, made in co-operation with RIEBER SKINN A/S, in the frames of Moscow Haute Couture week. This show had great success, and the designer, Vladimir Zubetz, was considered to be the best Russian designer.
It’s difficult to overvalue the contribution of BOS BISON Co. in making sea wild animal fur clothes widely popular. They were the first to sew seal as a leather, which made seams almost invisible, to change the texture depending on the direction of pile ( when it looks down-fur is like a mirror, up- it’s mate, when the skins are positioned horizontally – some holographic effect appears, bringing unexpected feeling of volume). The quality and design were estimated in Norway- OLESEN STUDIO Co.presents BOS BISON Co. products in the best boutique in Oslo
The other Russian designer Irina Tantsurina combined seal’s fur with silk and lace in her “Insomnia Time” collection in 2002, making it full of luxury and glamour. It had great success in the Embassy of Norway in Moscow. Now Irina’s created the 3-rd collection for RIEBER SKINN, which was demonstrated in Norway this June.
So, thankful to Russian designers, the common opinion that seal’s fur is comfortable and very applicable is now brought to a new level.
But even commercial collections are very unique because of exclusivity of raw material, and good example is LEON ELITE Co., using all modern technologies in combination with this rare fur. The most important thing for customer is that no defect could be hidden in case of using this kind of fur. If you see beautiful garment, be sure it’s of good quality.
Applying new technology of dressing, REEBER SKINN Co. managed to make very flexible skins. The latest development of the company is processing of fur like it is leather. And again BOS BISON Co. was the first to show new collection of seal’s leather items during Russian Fashion Week (autumn-winter 2004-2005).
Already today we can see the great future of seal fur among such superb furs as lynx, Russian sable and chinchilla.
Made in Russia
BOS BISON Co.(Moscow) is producer of luxury fur and leather men’s clothes. It was founded in 1991 and was the first to demonstrate Russian background. From the very beginning the main principle was to combine high quality of sewing and raw materials. The designers of the company developed many new technologies. They made men’s coats from waterproof cloth and fur lining. For every model they use one strong idea: patent eel as material for elegant jacket of strict silhouette or white fur lining for short black coat. No doubts, BOS BISON is a symbol of masculine power in clothes.
IT (Sankt-Petersburg) – trade mark of Irina Tantsurina Fashion House. Working in fashion business since 1986, she is one of the most successful designers in Russia. Irina makes unexpected collections mixing colors and textures of refined clothes, frensh hand-made lace, lazer dressed furs, shiffons and tattooed leather, knitted fabrics and perforated seal fur. Her line of accessories is dazzling: scarfs, waffled from fox and sable and decorated with lace, so pretty bags and hats. There are four boutiques of IT brand in S.-P., including one of men’s garments (trade mark – DIMON), show-room in Moscow. IT brand is very popular in South Korea
LEON ELITE (Moscow) – company, specialized in making clothes from sea wild animals since 1999.They convinced clients, that seal fur garment of high quality and original design could be modern and elegant as well as not extremely expensive. Company’s designers make small commercial collections full of functionality, quality and style. LEON ELITE brand is popular throughout Russia, proving the fact that there are many seal fur fans. In men’s and women’s collections we can see fresh combinations of sealskins with leather, suede, long piled fur, etc. The company’s device is that classic cloth could be very actual from the point of modern fashion standards.