Fur Fashion Endures in Cortina Amid Global Shift and Potential EU Ban
In the Olympic host village of Cortina, fur has never fallen out of fashion, with fur coats abundantly lining the streets, especially during the Winter Games. This enduring style contrasts sharply with global trends moving towards synthetic alternatives for ethical and environmental reasons.
Cultural Staples and High-End Boutiques
Among the upscale mountain towns of the Dolomites, fashion and fur have long been cultural staples. In films like "For Your Eyes Only," shot in Cortina, James Bond wore fur-trimmed jackets, and actresses donned full fur outfits. Along Cortina's pedestrian-only main street, most clothing stores display fur, whether real or synthetic, in their windows.
Paola De Leidi, a 62-year-old from Trieste, exemplifies this tradition. As a seasonal visitor, she views the Winter Games as a mere sideshow to her annual fur-finding pilgrimage. A faithful client for 25 years, she stores her collection in a dedicated "Cortina" closet, wearing furs only within this bubble where a fur-positive attitude persists despite animal rights campaigns.
Marco Molinari, a shopkeeper, highlights the local appeal, noting, "Here in the mountains you’re truly free. When you walk along the street, you don’t have the anxiety of being robbed." His store, a branch of fashion house Pajaro, features coats of mink, lynx, wolf, sable, and ocelot, with prices reaching up to 80,000 euros. Unique items include a pug statue swaddled in kangaroo skin and a bear carving serving as a hat rack for pink fur hats.
Global Pressures and Legislative Moves
However, this local tradition faces growing global pressures. According to the Fur Free Alliance, over 1,600 clothing retailers have agreed to stop selling furs, with brands like Gucci, Chanel, and Prada showing interest in alternatives. The European Commission is considering a measure to ban fur farms and much of the fur trade, targeting animals like mink, foxes, and raccoon dogs, while existing bans already cover cat and dog fur in the EU and U.S.
Stefano Vannicola, an insurance broker from Ascoli Piceno, recently purchased a Canadian lynx coat from Pajaro, though the price was undisclosed. Such purchases are becoming rarer near fashion runways, reflecting broader shifts.
Celebrity Influence and Local Traditions
Celebrity endorsements add to the allure. Snoop Dogg, during his visit to Cortina, bought a Pajaro fur hat for about 300 euros, incorporating it into his flamboyant style. He showcased the hat in an Instagram video with Stanley Tucci, who praised the look, highlighting how stars unknowingly partake in local fashion traditions.
Local residents like Marina Bozzoli, 82, and Orietta Guarini, 83, have witnessed Cortina's transformation from a small mountain town to a playground for the rich and famous. Guarini, wearing an elaborate white fur with a navy baseball cap, remarked, "Everything has changed, but the furs have always been here," underscoring the perennial presence of fur in Cortina's winter fashion.
As the world grapples with ethical and environmental concerns, Cortina stands as a bastion of fur fashion, blending high-end luxury with deep-rooted cultural practices.
