New York Daily Photo Analytics

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Barbie In Furs

Those are real Barbie dolls dressed in real furs. This is the unusual window display of Zamir Furs at 90 West Houston Street. Click here for more photos. The fur controversy should be enough to deter one from owning a fur shop, but how about locating it in the heart of SOHO/TheVillage and a stone's throw from NYU? - one of the most liberal neighborhoods in the country. Yet their relatively peaceful existence here demonstrates the tolerance of New Yorkers and perhaps the view that "fur is back." Described as a "leading fur specialty shop in Soho offering unique stylings from all over the world," Zamir inventories furs and does custom work. They also have fur hats, headbands, cuffs, earmuffs, pillows and blankets. Mattel (Barbie's manufacturer) has tried to put a halt to the trend of selling furs for Barbie: "We would not have Barbie wear real fur -- she's a friend to animals." And in a 1989 promo piece, The Barbie 30th Anniversary Magazine, a resume for Barbie gave her current occupation as "animal rights volunteer." Mattel's attorneys contacted Zamir furs in the late 1990s asking them to stop selling Barbie coats. But given that her furs are made from remnants, perhaps Barbie is just saying she's being very eco conscious :)

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

"We would not have Barbie wear real fur -- she's a friend to animals." LOL I am kind of neutral on the whole fur thing so it doesn't bother me one bit. Afterall, I eat and wear cows so I cannot be hypocritical. But, no furs for me.

I am not surprised to see this in SOHO. With the entrance of the likes of Pottery Barn and such, SOHO is not quite the bohemian haunt it once was!

Did you know that the "Charlotte's" art gallery from Sex and the City is in SOHO?

Deb said...

What a great photo....very whimsical!

Anonymous said...

mmm..agree with Chris & deb, its whimsical.
but colourful and beautiful~~
:)
like the small Barbies.
jing

Anonymous said...

Put all the remmants together and you get 1 mink.

Lisi said...

BRILLIANT, I love this photo...

Annie said...

That's quite a statement, isn't it. Dolls in fur . . . the whole thing about these dolls and that fur makes me feel uneasy.

I imagine I can hear Barbie say, in a mincing, little-girl voice, "None of the animals were killed for this hat, or coat, or headband or cuff or earmuff . . ."

Oh well . . .

Anonymous said...

fascinating! am sure many girls that have past the window were awed by it. I say, fake furs look as good ;)

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

Well! This is girly heaven. A line of dolls looking fab. Not to make light of the fur issue at all, but if they're remnants, what else would they be doing? Languishing in a bin. I'm a Sindy girl myself but these Barbies look wonderful. I'm instantly eight again!! Yay, thanks!

Eric said...

How original can one shop owner be? They look fantastic!

Michael Salone said...

Absolutely Fabulous....both in the photo and what the AbFab girls would say!

Anonymous said...

AMAZING PHOTO AND STORY !!!! This is stunning.

Anonymous said...

I came accross this window a few weeks ago and did the just same, preserved it in photographic memory. I just couldn't stop laughing!

Unknown said...

Will Peta dump them in red paint. Very funny photo.

Anonymous said...

Anyone, and i have, who has seen a fur farm will find this truly disgusting and appalling especially on something aimed at children.