Sable
Sable Manufacture
The Sable animal is native to Russia, Siberia and Mongolia. Even today, it is considered to be a luxury fur and is more commonly farmed rather than being caught in the wild.
Sable fur was first traded during the Middle Ages, and was considered to be highly valuable. The amount of hunting during the 18th and 19th Centuries meant that the number of Sables in the wild decreased rapidly. A hunting ban was implicated in 1935 and lasted 5 years. After this restrictions were put on the hunting of Sable, this along with the development of Sable farms meant that the number of Sables could be kept at a healthy amount.
Sable fur was used frequently for the clothing of nobilities, it was favoured by aristocrats such as King Henry VIII and it was used as a gift for high profile democrats. It was once the case that Sable furs could cost more than a house. During WWII, Sable was still as sought after as it had been before, and cheaper and more readily available substitutes were found. Furs such as Rabbit were dyed to replicate Sable.
Properties of Sable
- Unique
- Retains its softness
- Expensive
- Soft
- Warm
- Comfortable
- Elegant
- Rare
Uses of Sable in Fashion Past and Present
- Very rare and expensive so generally just used for trims and decorations on fashion garments
- Hats
- Collars
- Sleeves
- Was once only allowed to be worn by royals, diplomats or Nobility
- Stoles
- Was used in 1996 by Marc Jacobs, he revolutionised the use of Sable fur
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