Neon Fur Fashion: Nicki Minaj's Stylish Moment of the Week

Look of the Week is a regular series that dissects the most talked-about outfit of the last seven days, showcasing the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Nicki Minaj made a striking entrance at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City on Monday night to film an episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." She was almost completely covered by a chunky hooded fuchsia faux fur jacket as she walked inside. Later, she left the taping wearing an even larger, full-length version, this time in acid green.

Both coats, crafted from a combination of synthetic fibers (specifically, modacrylic and polyester), were gifted by the renowned French fashion designer Alexandre Vauthier. Modified editions of the outerwear garment have been sported by Hunter Schafer and Kylie Minogue in the past few weeks.

The pink coata nod to Minaj's new album "Pink Friday 2"was a Haute Couture look from Alexandre Vauthier.

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In the past, genuine animal fur was highly prized as a symbol of status. In 1929, Vogue suggested that the type of fur a woman wore could reveal " the kind of woman you are and the kind of life you lead." Nearly a century later, this is still true, although not in the way the magazine originally intended.

Today, choosing real fur is more likely to be viewed as a reflection of personal ethics. The tireless campaigning of PETA and the use of red paint have shifted public opinion away from fur products. Even luxury conglomerate Kering, the parent company of designer labels such as Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta, began phasing out fur in 2022.

Cardi B recently made her runway debut at Balenciaga's pre-fall fashion show in Los Angeles, wearing a floor-length, bright blue faux fur coat. This highlights the progress being made in making alternative fur options desirable.

But faux fur has, in various guises, existed for over a century (although those reading Vogue in 1929 probably wouldn't have envisaged it becoming a material of choice for the rich and famous). In the early 1900s, pile fabricmade with the same looped textile technique used to create cord and velvetwas born, with its tufted surface serving as a more affordable alternative to animal skins. Some pile factories of the 20th century became so overrun with orders they had to briefly close production.

Minaj left the taping in a second Vauthier coat in neon lime green.

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Polymers revolutionized the garment industry in the 1950s, introducing a more sophisticated textile. Unnatural colors made their way into the market, with a woman modeling a baby pink "fuzzy topper" jacket in a 1957 catalog. Fake fur evolved into an artistic abstraction, moving away from its association with animals.

Similarly, Karl Lagerfeld's Fall-Winter 1994 collection for Chanel elevated fake fur to high fashion. The runway showcased ski pants paired with tall furry docker hats and cropped fuzzy jackets in pink, yellow, and green. Vogues show report noted, "Like Coco Chanel who mixed fine jewelry with paste and encouraged other women to do the same, Karl Lagerfeld knew his fur from his fluff."

Kate Moss walked Lagerfeld's faux fur fantasy collection for Chanel in 1994.

In 2015, artificial fur took over the fashion catwalks. Dries Van Noten and Stella McCartney showcased collections filled with silk and modacrylic designs. French designer Julie de Libran spoke to Womens Wear Daily, stating, "We prefer faux fur because it adds a playful and fun element. It allows for vibrant colors and unique volumes that real fur cannot achieve."

Stella McCartney advocates for new regulations on leather and harmful materials, highlighting the environmental concerns surrounding synthetic fur. While it presents a more ethical option for animals, the production and disposal of synthetic fur raise serious environmental issues. According to a recent report by the Humane Society International, a bobble hat with a raccoon dog fur pompom has a significantly higher carbon footprint compared to its acrylic faux fur counterpart. However, the synthetic alternatives often contain plastics, leading to a slow biodegradation process and the potential release of microplastics into water systems when washed.

Minaj doesn't seem to be bothered by the dilemma, as she stylishly dons a pink faux jacket and matching mink fur boots. While she may be embracing the latest trend in outerwear, some may prefer if she ditched the fur boots. As Lagerfeld famously said, "You cannot fake chic, but you can be chic and wear fake fur."