furriers

A furrier is a craftsman or retailer who works with animal fur to produce or sell fur garments and accessories. Traditionally they deal with pelts, skins, and fur-trimmed fabrics, including coats, capes, hats, and linings, and may offer fur cleaning, storage, and repair services.

The fur trade has roots in antiquity and became a major economic activity in Europe and North America from the Middle Ages onward. In early modern periods, European merchants and indigenous peoples traded pelts; in the 18th–20th centuries fur garments became fashionable luxury items.

A furrier's work includes sourcing pelts from hunters, trappers, or fur farms, selecting pelts for quality, preparing and curing pelts, and assembling finished garments. Techniques include pelt cutting, sewing, lining, furrier's stitching, and adding fur trim. Some furriers specialize in repairs, cleaning, storage, or bespoke tailoring.

Market structure varies; many furriers operate shops, boutiques, or divisions within department stores. They are subject to animal welfare and labeling regulations in many jurisdictions, including rules on fur labeling, origin, and chemical treatments; ethical concerns have influenced consumer demand in many markets.

Today furriers operate globally with major centers in parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. While some markets have declined due to anti-fur sentiment, others maintain strong demand for luxury fur products and vintage fur. The industry continues to adapt through fashion trends, synthetic alternatives, and regulatory changes.