these products would cut off
one of designers’ largest markets,
negatively impacting
their livelihoods and those of
the suppliers and retail shops
they work with.
In all, a recent economic
study commissioned by the
International Fur Federation
Americas found the ban would
result in $850 million in lost
taxable business revenue and
cost New York City 7,500 jobs
in the first year alone.
According to a survey we
conducted this month of accessory
and outerwear companies
in Manhattan’s Garment
District, more than 90 of
the factories there use these
materials, making items such
as gloves, handbags, and outerwear.
One of them, Cockpit
USA, makes shearling coats
for the United States military.
These are specialized experts.
If the “fur ban” passes,
some of them would need to
close their businesses, while
others would face significant
layoffs.
Let’s be realistic: If the law
passes and a manufacturer
can’t sell in New York City, the
owner has two choices: close
up the business and fire all
employees, or lay off workers
and rent space in New Jersey,
Yonkers, or Nassau County to
ship the product. Either way,
once again, New York City
loses much-needed manufacturing
jobs — but this time it’s
by its own direct action.
Losing valuable blue-collar
jobs is not the only unintended
consequence of this legislation.
Council members have
championed environmental
issues. In this case, they fail
to recognize the negative environmental
impacts of synthetic
materials.
Most fake furs are petroleum
based and do not biodegrade.
One faux fur coat is
the equivalent of thousands of
plastic straws.
My biggest concern, however,
is that a fur ban would be
just the start. Animal rights
activists have made no secret
of the fact that their eventual
goal is to ban the use of all
animal products. If the City
Council succeeds in banning
fur today, they will next take
aim at leather, feathers, wool
and silk.
To wear fur, like any consumer
product, is a choice. It’s
one New Yorkers have been
making for hundreds of years
and a product that remains in
high demand today. It’s not the
job of City Council members
to legislate away livelihoods
simply because fur is a choice
some of them wouldn’t make
for themselves.
Karen Giberson is president
of the Accessories Council, a
trade group for accessory, eyewear
and footwear brands.
COURIER L M BR B G IFE, MAY 17–23, 2019 81
A ban on any fur products is
unacceptable. The bill, which
was just introduced in late
March, is being inexplicably
fast tracked to the hearing
stage, which was scheduled
for May 15. This does not allow
our industry ample time
to prepare or accurately study
the implications of this decision.
We are baffled as to why
there is a sudden rush to pass
this legislation.
If government can pick and
choose to eliminate a specific
material, then what’s to stop
politicians from telling us
what else we can’t wear, eat,
and create moving forward?
As the fashion capital of the
world, we must work with textiles
and fabrics that our customers
are demanding today.
Our industry has embraced a
variety of materials, including
vegan leathers, faux furs,
When August Michael of Creations
by August belts out Frank
Sinatra’s hit, “That’s Life,” he
could substitute the words “I’ve
been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate,
a poet, a pawn and a king,”
to, “I am a performer, a painter,
an artist, a jeweler ... I entertain
and I sing.” The multi-talented
August does it all.
He grew up watching his
father, Gus, a carpenter, build
furniture and repair just about
everything. He would create
furniture, and design both kitchens
and bathrooms. Although
his father did not think he was
interested, August, intrigued by
it all, would observe and learn
more than his father would have
ever imagined. Eventually, he
discovered he had his own artistic
talents, and figured out a way
to connect them with the carpentry
skills he had developed.
Soon he was creating unique
artistic pieces, a creative outlet
that was so well-received, he
formed his own company called
Creations by August about four
years ago.
and other options that are being
developed every day.
That said, calf hair, shearling,
and fur still play a significant
and sustainable role
in our designs — from shoes,
handbags, gloves and hats, to
trim and cuffs on coats.
Fur is already a heavily
regulated industry, with rules
covering from farming and
trapping standards to ethics
to labeling. The animal byproducts
are used in a variety
of other products, from the
beauty industry to compost
and fertilizers.
We encourage all to learn
more about the process. If you
don’t like these materials,
you don’t need to use them,
to manufacture with them, or
buy them as a consumer.
New York City is the hub of
retail, wholesale, trade shows,
and commerce for many fashion
accessory companies. The
ban preventing any sale of
“All of my works are one-ofa
kind, and hand-crafted by myself
in my workshop,” he says.
These items include lamps
made from tree trunks — the
base is part of the tree, and a
green lampshade sits on top.
There’s the Himalayan salt
lamp, made from solid oak; fired,
and then varnished. Its small
size is perfect for apartment
life. Some other creations by August
include planters, tea light
holders, decorative mason jars,
and hand-crafted jewelry. All
items are ready to order and can
viewed on his Facebook page.
With summer on the way,
one of his beach-themed sea
shell custom-designed frames
may make a perfect gift. If you
don’t have a photo to put inside
of it, he is also a photographer.
You can view his photo of the
Coney Island Parachute soaring
through a blue sky, birds in
flight, and beautiful landscapes
on his Facebook page. August
participates at local venues,
showcasing his work. He’ll be
at the Colony, at 274 Fourth Ave.
in Park Slope, on June 15, from
2 to 7 pm. “It’s a bar, but it has
an art gallery in the back,” he
says. “Come and support local
artists.”
There will be many other local
vendors alongside August,
providing an opportunity to secure
some unique home accents
you won’t find at department
stores. Not only can he create
something fabulous for you, August
is also a professional singer.
Performing and entertaining
has been a passion for as long
as he can remember. He got his
start singing cabaret at Danny’s
Szechwan Garden in Howard
Beach, Queens. Since his very
humble beginnings, his performances
have included venues
that have raised funds for cancer,
Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane
Sandy and 9-11. Most of
his performances can be found
on YouTube, including his singing
“Cara Mia” and “Cheer Up
Sleepy Jean” at the Marine Park
Nature Center.
Let August custom-design
something special for you.
Creations by August (718)
926–4600, www.amcreations.org,
www.AugustMichael.com Custom
orders available 24-7. Follow
him on Facebook at www.Facebook.
com/creationsbyaugust.
BUS INES S , B ROOKLYN S T Y LE
Treasure unique designs from Creations by August
/creationsbyaugust
/www.AugustMichael.com
/creationsbyaugust
/www.amcreations.org
/creationsbyaugust
/www.amcreations.org
/www.AugustMichael.com