'Faux Real'

The chocolate minx throw laid sumptuously on the tufted leather chair and its rich, glossy sheen quickly caught my eye from the other end of the store. I headed towards the chair, catching an end of the throw and running my fingers among the silky brown hairs.

“Oh,” I purred. This was magic, I thought. It only seemed natural that I would then envision the furry throw slung over my living room sofa, an exotic touch to my otherwise conventional furnishings.

Despite media reports of gloom and doom, the Fall ’09 fashion shows had even more fur stoles and coats claw their way down its catwalks than years prior. I was already on the hunt for a Fall ‘09 chinchilla vest dipped in blue and purple dye like the one at Alberta Ferretti (top middle), or a Dolce & Gabbana (top left) shocking pink fur coat with exaggerated shoulders. Why should fur stick only to my wardrobe?

Besides, I reasoned, there was no price too great for luxury. Until I looked at the price tag and nearly gagged.

“$4,995?! Is this for real?!” I blurted.

“Oh yes, 100 percent minx,” chimed a sales assistant. The sales assistant hadn’t realized that my involuntary yell had more to do with the price and less to do with the fur’s authenticity.

There must be a better way to adopt a fashion trend without prompting an unwanted visit from People for the Ethical Treatement of Animals, I thought. And there was: going faux.

***

Ocelot, chinchilla, coyote, fox, rabbit or minx? Pillows, blankets, curtains, rugs, coats, stoles, or slippers? On my faux animal hunt, I discovered that going faux boasted as many varieties and styles as the real thing.

I stumbled upon a licorice-colored faux fur stole at Nordstrom’s for $63 (on sale!) and a faux tiger-printed bathing suit by Tyler Rose Swimwear (left) at Shopbop for $198. Then there was the must-splurge item, a faux spotted pony fur frame Roberta di Camerino bag at Barneys’ for $1,485.

For many designers and fashion/home labels, the staggering economy has encouraged many to not only limit their resources, but to consider environmentally-sound solutions. Faux is one of them.

This fall, London favorite Stella McCartney (recently honored Tuesday by the National Resources Defense Council for her green efforts) again refused leather and fur for her ready-to-wear collection, opting for shaggy lamb’s wool for her coats and a fabric treated to look like leather for leggings.

I finally settled on a luxurious white minx pillow for $20 with a matching fur throw (right) for $65 at www.decorinnovation.com. The pillow adds wonderful contrast to my dark sofa. It’s perfectly batted, neither too soft nor firm. As for the ivory-colored minx throw, the added bonus is the underside, which is lined with velvet-smooth microplush. The end result is a fight between family members as to who gets to cuddle with it first.

Now, is that $65 price ‘faux’ real?

Absolutely.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of WWD, gifts.com, shopbop.com and lindaanderson.com