La Marque Fur Salon

Recently, we had an opportunity to chat about fur with Chris Poulios of La Marque Fur Salon. Poulios, who is a 4th generation furrier told us a little about himself. He started in the fur business when he was 15, working summers as a storage and cleaning assistant for a prominent retail store in Long Island, NY. By the age of 21, he was leasing half a floor on 7th Ave in New York’s fur district and employed 15 – 20 people manufacturing fur garments. “I sold to retail and department stores all over the country, all over the world.  New York was the fur capital. It was an exciting time and an exciting business”. His transition to retail came years later. “I always had a wonderful relationship with the owners of La Marque. They always used the best quality merchandise and truly stressed customer service”.
When the opportunity came, he took over the store. “It’s so much fun working directly with customers. Creating fur, whether it’s a new garment or restyling an older one, is truly an art. Poulios also gave us some tips about cold storage and cleaning. “Sometimes I’m asked why one can’t just leave their garments in a cool air conditioned house. The difference is in refrigeration vs air conditioning. Our storage vaults are refrigerated at 45 degrees, as well as humidity controlled. You wouldn’t leave milk out in your air conditioned house, would you? The back of a fur is a suede. As furs age, they begin to dry out. Cold storage slows that aging process considerably.
Poulios also recommends cleaning your fur every other year. Our cleaning not only removes soil and pollutants from your fur, in addition to perfumes and oils that come from the face and neck, but we also have a moisture adding product that slows the natural drying process that will eventually dry out your fur. “I have customers with garments that have lasted over 25 years. An incredible statement when you consider we have become a disposable society. In addition, fur is completely biodegradable. Lightweight, not at all bulky, and amazingly warm and affordable. A fantastic addition to everyone’s wardrobe!”