This “Mob Wife Winter,” Is It Okay To Wear Real Fur?

The Last Main Line Fur Store Owner Shares His Story

by Diane Oliva, Style Editor

Fur coats … Do you have one? My mother was the epitome of style and sophistication in the 1950s. Living and working in NYC, she donned the most fashionable suits and dresses. When going out for a night on the town, she finished off her look with her mink stole.

My mom bought the stole at one of the most exclusive furriers on Madison Avenue, and it was one her favorite pieces. When she left NYC to marry my father and raise a family in suburban Philadelphia, she took a little piece of the glitz and glamour of NYC – her mink stole. She wore it for years, and I remember thinking it was the most luxurious thing I had ever felt. It was the ultimate status symbol. It was so special. In those days, that’s what fur was. Special.

Now… well, now is a different story. PETA’s very effective, celebrity-studded campaign against fur began in 1990 with its “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur Campaign.” Christy Turlington, Pamela Anderson and Kim Basinger posed for the billboards and ads.

Fur is a complex, emotional and ethical battle, but in some circles, its allure has not gone away. I spoke with some local fashionistas about the subject. Most of them own and love fur, whether it be a new piece or vintage. But, they did not want to be quoted saying so. For decades, fur has been a taboo subject.

Fur shame is a real thing. But I see my fair share of fur wearing women – and men – on the Main Line, and with the Mob Wife look trending, I couldn’t help but think…Is fur one of the Main Line’s dirty little secrets?  

We all know the horrors and brutality of sourcing genuine fur. The cons are painfully obvious. Are there any pros? To find out, I visited Stupp Furs in Haverford. Once upon a time (in the 1990s), Jacques Ferber and Zinman Furs also had thriving fur salons on the Main Line and in Center City. Now, Stupp is the last one standing.

Stupp Furs has been a family-owned business for generations. The current owner is Hal Stupp, and his grandfather opened the first salon in 1930 in the Logan section of Philadelphia, which was then mostly Jewish. In 1979, the Stupps opened in Haverford Square, and eventually added a location in Jenkintown. The Logan shop closed a long time ago, but the Jenkintown Stupp is thriving with 8,800 square feet of showroom and storage. The Haverford location is smaller, with 1,800 square feet, but Stupp still does a great business. Why? 

Because Main Line ladies like their fur and Stupp has gorgeous pieces, many of them custom made. Hal Stupp was very discreet about his customers and did not name names, but said that his clients include local sports celebrities and their wives, business executives, stay-at-home moms, Main Line style icons, and everyone in between.

Stupp not only sell furs, but a large part of his business is restyling, repairing and cleaning. Hal knows all about tailoring and fashion. He graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design before working his way up through the family business. After a tour of his lovely store (while I tried on countless coats), we sat down to chat. I asked point blank, “What’s your argument for genuine fur?” 

Hal pointed to warmth and style – and sustainability. That may sound strange given that fur is obviously from animals. But, a genuine fur coat can last 40, 50, 60 years or more. My mom’s stole is 70 years old and still looks amazing. Fur can also be restyled and recycled many times over its lifetime. And, when it’s no longer viable as a garment and discarded, it’s biodegradable. 

Faux furs are made mostly with toxic chemicals, petroleum and plastics.  Most are fast fashion, and when thrown away will remain in a landfill for hundreds of years. Certain furs are also considered by-products, such as rabbit and shearling. In these cases, no part of the animal is going to waste, or ending up in a landfill. I know what you are thinking, but yes – people do eat rabbit.

And what about this “vintage” fur trend? It’s still fur isn’t it? On a recent visit to some of my favorite consignment and vintage haunts, I spotted some gorgeous vintage furs. All dripping in style, with a lot of life left to them, the furs were just waiting for their next adventure with a new owner.

If genuine fur – new or vintage – is just not for you, there is a new alternative on the horizon. Lab-grown fur is just as luxe as genuine, does not harm living animals, and is environmentally safe. Dutch firm Furiod is using biotechnology to create lab-grown fur using stem cells from live,  unharmed minks, foxes, and other animals.  Additionally, last year The Imperial College of London and Central Saint-Martins announced a partnership with Fendi and LVMH to create their own lab-grown fur using keratin. This will be a game changer in the fashion industry in the coming years. In the meantime, look for me in my stole. Yes, I do wear it.

Thanks, Mom.         

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