A model shows a cape of polyester sewn with chinchilla that's being billed as "ecological fur" during a fashion show in Tokyo by Japanese designer Chie Imai Monday, April 14, 2008. The fur is real, but to compensate, the rest of the garment is made of recycled polyester from a Japanese plastic and pharmaceutical maker.
Japanese designer Chie Imai speaks to The Associated Press prior to her fur fashion show in Tokyo Monday, April 14, 2008. Included in her new line are a cape, bolero and several dresses that she calls "eco fur." Imai uses real chinchilla and mink from fur farms, but the fabric parts of the clothing are recycled polyester from Japanese plastic and pharmaceutical maker Teijin Ltd.
A model shows a polyester ensemble sewn with real chinchilla fur that's being billed as "ecological fur" during a fashion show in Tokyo by Japanese designer Chie Imai on Monday, April 14, 2008.
A model shows a polyester dress sewn with real chinchilla fur that's being billed as "ecological fur" during a fashion show in Tokyo by Japanese designer Chie Imai Monday, April 14, 2008. "We have not compromised quality. And tying ecology with fur is such a fascinating concept," Imai told the AP.
Japanese designer Chie Imai, center, smiles with a bouquet of flowers as she stands with models showing her fur fashions at the end of a fashion show including her "ecological fur" pieces in Tokyo Monday, April 14, 2008. "Ecological fur" sometimes refers to fake fur, but Imai uses real fur in ecological designs that combine it with polyester strips and fabric.
A model shows a real mink fur bolero that's being billed as "ecological fur" during a fashion show in Tokyo by Japanese designer Chie Imai on Monday, April 14, 2008.
Hiroe Tomura, a 35-year-old Tokyo restaurant manager, tries on a cream-colored $18,000 sable stole prior to a fur fashion show that included "ecological fur" pieces by Japanese designer Chie Imai in Tokyo Monday, April 14, 2008. Tomura acknowledged she probably wouldn't get an ecological fur. "But I am definitely interested in ecology," she said.