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 :)