An observer at the catwalks in New York yesterday could be forgiven for thinking they'd slipped back in time to the 40s: elegant gowns with long hemlines and fur, fur, fur. Carolina Herrera, designer for women who do not need to ask the price, used fox, sable and mink. Marc Jacobs added furry fringes to bags, while Zac Posen kept his carnival-themed models warm with fur coats. Rather go naked than wear fur? Don't go shopping in New York next autumn.

Kate Carter