Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 17/99) - The Northern fur industry -- from trapper to fashion designer to manufacturer -- will reap benefits from the recent North American Fur and Fashion Exposition (NAFFEM) held from May 5-8 in Montreal.

The first sign comes in the form of a fashion show to be held in Yellowknife when the Fur Institute of Canada gathers for their annual general meeting in early June.

RWED's fur management and traditional economy co-ordinator Francois Rossouw attended the trade and fashion show -- the largest of its kind in North America and one of the most important fur-marketing events in the world -- on behalf of "Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs."

"This program was a steam engine in a dark tunnel through the winter, now its a bullet train," says Rossouw.

Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs is a marketing strategy to promote NWT's wild fur production. NWT wild fur is considered by the industry as being some of the best in the world.

"We brought six coats made of Mackenzie marten and sable in the fashion industry," Rossouw says, adding that the goal was to show the end product of the fur. "To fashion industry designers and to bring it back to the harvesters to show what's being done."

Rossouw emphasizes the importance of the trapper (or anyone involved with fur) understanding the possibilities on the world market.

For the fashion show in June, which Rossouw hopes will take place at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre, 24 new fur coats will be designed by D'Arcy Moses, manager of Natsen'elu, a Dene design and fashion manufacturer located in Fort Simpson.

Rosemary Youngblut, special projects advisor with the NWT development Corporation, also attended NAFFEM and came back full of enthusiasm for the possibilities that lie ahead for Northern furriers, Aklavik & Tuk Furs Ltd. and Dene Fur Clouds.

"It was our first time in that market," says Youngblut. "It was a good learning and researching experience."

There were, in fact, 200 exhibitors (including delegations from the NWT and Nunavut) with several thousand buyers. It is estimated that over $100 million in orders will have been generated at the exhibition.

"We spent an hour with Per Reinkilde of the Saga International Design Centre," Youngblut says. "He showed us all these different things we could do with fur. It's incredible what they're doing with fur. It doesn't even look like fur anymore."

Northern representatives also learned about fur fashion trends of the world.

"Trends such as smaller pieces, the use of fur trim on leather or fabric garments and techniques such as grooving are winning the favour of young consumers," says Youngblut.

"Grooving or sculpting techniques that create strong patterns are being combined with bold colours."

These new trends, adds Youngblut, appeal to younger, fashion-conscious buyers who like fur but want to get away from the traditional look.

And this is where Nunavut sealskin come in, as well. Sealskin is naturally patterned, with an elegant beauty. The adult ringed seal's skin has circular markings on its back that has proven particularly attractive and inspirational to designers.

With the fur trade changing and on the rise once again, and with the training and knowledge becoming available like never before, there seems to be no limit to what Northern trappers, designers, and furriers might accomplish in the next few years.