(01/08/2003) International Fur Trade Federation Launches Second Annual Global Fur Campaign

Expanded 20-country campaign in ELLE mirrors increased consumer demand

With worldwide fur sales on the rise, the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF) is launching its second annual global fur advertising campaign. This year’s six-page colour supplement will be appearing in twenty national editions of ELLE around the world.

In 2001-2, global sales of fur were $11 billion US, an increase of 10.8% over the previous year. This significant growth reflects the growing consumer demand for fur, in part attributed to the influence of all important fashion designers who feature fur as an integral element of their ready-to-wear and haute couture collections. The IFTF’s fur advertorial spotlights the latest looks from six of these international collections: Dior by John Galliano, D&G, Jean Paul Gaultier, Gucci, Michael Kors and Prada.

Millions of readers will see the fur advertorial in the September issues of ELLE in Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea, Norway, Poland, Quebec, Russia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States. "A strong element of today’s fur consumers is a young, fashion-forward, professional woman, between 25-39 years of age", said Andreas Lenhart, Chairman of the IFTF. "These are precisely ELLE’s demographics, making them an obvious consumer publication in which to convey our spirited fur fashion message."

The IFTF advertorial was photographed by world-renowned photographer, Gilles Bensimon, who is currently the publication director of ELLE USA. Bensimon’s work is best known for blending fashion and conceptual design. He began collaborating with ELLE in 1967 when he worked with the magazine’s founder, Hélène Lazareff. Bensimon’s creative vision has been the driving force behind the fashion magazine’s artistic direction in the US since its launch in 1985. His photographs capture the essence of the ELLE woman ­ intelligent, with an independent spirit and individual style. A favourite among top celebrities and models, his images appear in ELLE’s 35 international editions and are seen by more than 20 million readers worldwide each month.

"Fur was social status but with changes in society, fur has now become more modern, accessible, more casual," said Gilles Bensimon. "It is no longer a symbol of power but more a symbol of a woman who knows what she wants. It has become a pleasure of everyday life but it is also very fashionable and also warm!"

First established in 1949, the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF) is an independent international organization of national fur trade associations. Through its work and the activities of its members, IFTF seeks to promote a factual image of today’s fur industry. For more information on the IFTF and the images of the fur fashion featured in the supplement, please visit their websites at www.iftf.com and www.fur-style.com.

The British Fur Trade Association (BFTA) is a member of the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF).

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Press contact:

Andrea Martin
British Fur Trade Association
020 7281 9299
e-mail: press@britishfur.co.uk

Sandy Blye
Creative Marketing Plus, Inc.
001.212.727.1210 x209
e-mail: Sblye@creativemarketingplus.com