The Call of the Wild

As the gloomy weather heralds in the chilly seasons, I am reluctantly putting my sandals into hibernation and turning my thoughts to that cold weather staple, the winter coat. At the risk of inciting the fury of the PETA bloggers of the world, I must admit to a recently acquired obsession- fur. It's a great irony that we women spend a small fortune on depilatory devices and spa services only to then cover ourselves in another mammal's hairy hide. Nevertheless, last season, I heard about a steeply discounted fur sample sale in midtown, and grabbed V (aka my budget conscience) for a look see. As we neared the warehouse, we heard a small din of protesters. The sight of anti-fur activists stopped me in my tracks. Visions of pig's blood being poured on me a la Carrie at the prom replaced my previous fantasies of stepping out in chinchilla flair. Although V was willing to brave the antagonistic crowd, my enthusiasm was quenched by a unexpected streak of cowardice, and we retreated from enemy lines. As I sat on the train to head home that day, I became increasingly upset with myself and the protesters. Is it really unnatural to wear the spoils of creatures we have conquered? Is it really more natural to forsake what nature in fact designed and perfected, and instead produce synthetic materials that will decompose generations down the line? Would "animal activists" oppose to native tribes making clothes from the hides of animals they hunted, or eskimos keeping warm with fur coats? If you watch enough National Geographic documentaries, you know what will happen to the grazing animal being stalked. These scenes recall a basic law of nature- kill or be killed, and to the victor go the spoils. This year, I will live up to my birth sign, that of the tiger, the huntress. So, without further ado, here are some of the fab furry finds on my wish list. Contemporary designers have done away with the amorphous, stodgy capes of Doctor Zhivago and cavemen lore. Now fashionastas can choose from young, sexy silhouettes and edgy mixes with leather and silk.