Interview with Chairman, IFTF

Andreas Lenhart

by Lise Leonhardt Hjort “Fur is part of China’s culture” “China is very important for the fur industry both as a producer and consumer market – – and we are looking forward to the day when the Chinese fur industry will found a national trade association. The IFTF believes that a national trade association in China is necessary in order to support and further develop the Chinese market – from farming, dressing and dyeing to manufacturing and retailing,” says Andreas Lenhart, who is Chairman of the Board for the International Fur Trade Federation, also known as IFTF.  www.iftf.com The International Fur Trade Federation is an independent international federation of national fur trade associations and organisations. It seeks to promote a factual image of today's fur trade through a range of promotional projects, co-operation with other fur trade organisations, and the activities of its members. IFTF currently comprises 33 member associations in 27 countries, which means that the IFTF includes practically every fur producing and fur consuming country in the world. “IFTF and the Nordic marketing organisation SAGA Furs of Scandinavia agreed to work together on The Fur Show Beijing 2002, because SAGA is already well established in China. Both SAGA and IFTF wish to influence the development of the Chinese market. Chinese consumers are very sophisticated and fashion-conscious, and we therefore decided to produce an event, the like of which has never been seen before in China. The Fur Show Beijing 2002 will be an international fashion show involving some of the world’s outstanding designers. We believe that producing such a fur fashion show will have a significant impact on the Chinese market. In fact, not only in China, but also in the rest of the world,” says Andreas Lenhart. He adds: “Fur is an integral part of fashion, and in China fur has a tradition that goes back thousands of years. Fur is part of China’s culture and now is the time to honour that tradition by celebrating fur with this special event – The Fur Show, Beijing 2002.” Fur is not separable from fashion trends. It is not only confined to full-length garments, it is also used as light clothing, sheared or knitted, as trimmings or accessories. In this context what does Andreas Lenhart believe to be the IFTF’s most important objective for the future? “We want to promote fur. And to defend all interests of the fur industry – from farming and trapping to retailing.”