Britain and its role in the Fur Trade:

London has been the centre of the world fur trade since the Hudson’s Bay Company was established by Royal Charter of King Charles II in 1670 and London still plays a leading role.

London fur traders and fur brokers are responsible for buying a significant share of fur traded on the world market as pelts at international auction. The trade is worth some £400-£500 million a year to the UK. The London fur traders operate in two different roles:

• Firstly, as commission agents buying for manufacturers and other trade customers spread all over the world.

• Secondly, as merchants buying and selling from stock.

• Farmed fur accounts for 80% - 85% of the fur trade, wild fur accounts for 15% - 20%.

Customers from overseas regularly visit London to buy stocks. They know that a complete range will be available.  Manufacturing customers may be from Italy, Greece, Spain, Hong Kong and China or elsewhere.

A designer boutique launching a fur collection in London will be involved all along the global fur trail. Pelts can be bought at auction in Helsinki, Copenhagen, North America or Russia; dressed and dyed in Germany, Italy, France, one of the Baltic States, Poland, China or Russia; the garments designed in London; manufactured in Italy, Greece or China; and retailed in London, Vienna, Oslo, Bahrain, Dubai, New York, Los Angeles, Athens, Moscow and Tokyo.

London is a fashion hub. The UK is known for its creativity in fashion and design with many top international fashion designers graduating from colleges in London and elsewhere in the UK.

In the UK, the fur trade includes fur traders and brokers, manufacturers and retailers. Today fur is not only sold through specialist furriers but through fashion houses and designer boutiques.