the spotlight. Stores will stock
up on raccoon, tanuki, fox, Per-
sian lamb and beaver"
According to reports, top
quality mink coats range in
price from $14,000 to $20,000.
Sable coats of the same quality
cost from $70,000 to $170,000
while another popular fur, fisher,
is in the $45,000 to $50,000
range for coats. Persian lamb
and beaver prices are about
the same; jackets in either fur
start at about $3000, and full-
length coats are from $6000 to
$10,000.
Still, there may be a mink for
everyone. Male skins let out and
styled like female skins make a
beautiful coat, says one furrier,
and for the customer who abso-
lutely must have a mink, it is a
wonderful choice.
Arthur Bricker of BRICKER-
TUNIS FURS, West Bloomfield
wants his customers to feel
confident and comfortable. "We
point out our years of service,
listen to the customer's needs
and finally have them examine
our products," says Bricker.
"Our factories in Greece and
New York allow us to appeal to
all price ranges while

continuing our practice of high
quality."
A fur coat is often considered
a sign of success. Today's main
fur consumer averages 26 years
old, has become successful on
her own, and is purchasing her
own fur. "Ten years ago," says
Blye, "the consumer was 50
years old and the fur she wore
was a gift."

Designers have seen this
change and have adapted the
styling to meet this consumer's
needs. The long, long coat is
still very popular, with the new
seven-eighth coat completing
the story this season.
Again this year, mens' furs
continue to account for 15 per-
cent of the entire retail fur
business, which will be in ex-
cess of $2 billion.

Many first-time male buyers
choose fur-lined raincoats or
leather jackets. Coyote parkas
with hoods are a favorite on the
ski slopes. "The trenchcoat and
the chesterfield coat are very
chic for men and not showy,
particularly when styled in the
flatter furs like sheared nutria,
mink or otter" says Blye.

THE RIGHT FUR FOR YOU

W

hat advice would you give
fur buyers?
Ceresnie and Offen
Birmingham
`The biggest change will be in
the length," says Michael
Ceresnie. "Furs can be as long
as 52" and longer. The look is
still loose and oversized with big,
full dolman sleeves that are com-
fortable and easy to wear over
everything. We are also showing
lots and lots of fur and leather
items, some are reversible and
others are detachable."
Malter Furs — Southfield
"The more fashion conscious
person will be wearing the
37" to 38"
shorter coat

with the new even shorter mini-
skirts," says Ken Malter. Some are
styled in mink with a horizontal
band of mink at the bottom
edge. Most people, however, will
still want the long, long coat this
year"

Furs by Ilya
Southfield
"Because of the heavy price
increase this year in mink," says
Ilya, "we expect to sell more
beaver and raccoon. The full-
length, full-sleeve coat will still be
the most popular because it
allows for heavy clothing. We've
already had many customers
bring in fitted coats to have them
remodeled to fuller styles."

RANDEE'S

SLEEPWEAR • DAYWEAR • PLAYWEAR

FRANKLIN SAVINGS CENTRE BLDG.
26400 W. 12 Mile Road
Southfield, Michigan 48034
(313) 354-6070

FALL '87 73