With a compassionate network of angora rabbit lovers, fiber spinning co-ops, and work from home crocheters, Ambika Conroy has single handedly created the future of sustainably produced, cruelty-free "fur"
Ambika Friendly Furs is a collection of crocheted, cruelty-free angora wearables – all handmade with a commitment to local and sustainable production. Ambika's story began when she moved to New York from Australia over ten years ago with the idea that she would begin a career in fashion photography. Her real calling became evident when she started crocheting during her downtime on photo shoots. Soon Ambika's colleagues began asking about the skimpy bikinis she was crafting on set and encouraged her to launch, Ambika Bikini. These super-luxe and form-fitting bikinis grabbed the attention of high fashion magazines, graced the covers of Sports Illustrated and Maxim, and resulted in the opening of a downtown Manhattan boutique. Ambika's vision was to create custom bikinis made by local crocheters, but when she had difficulty finding local angora sources, she set out to create her own eco-fiber production.
Hand-crocheted Ambika bikinis are total works of art
Ambika discovered her source for fiber one day when meeting two angora rabbits at a local country fair. She soon realized that in order to fulfill her dream of producing handspun fiber locally she would have to move out of her small Brooklyn apartment to a home that would better suite her and her bunnies. Leaving her thriving bikini business behind for New York State's Hudson Valley, Ambika became fully immersed in raising angora rabbits. She soon found that she could use the soft fur from her rabbits, send it out to local handspinners, and then have it crotcheted by the women she had worked with in her bikini business.
One rabbit can yield about two pounds of fur each year
or the equivalent of two hats per shearing
Ambika Conroy gently trimming her angora rabbit friend
Ambika's rabbits are sheared every three months, which is when they naturally molt and their fibers are the longest – allowing for a stronger and denser yarn. She is then able to gather enough fur for a new collection's production by partnering with other angora farmers who practice the same ethical techniques for trimming, raising, and handling of their rabbits. She requires these farmers to have less then twenty rabbits, so that they can have daily human contact, enough space to roam free and exercise, and adequate attention can be afforded to their diet, which accounts for a large part of the quality of the fur not to mention the long-term health of the rabbits.
Angora fur is said to be 800% warmer than sheep's wool
True luxury created with soft angora fiber and cruelty free methods
Most angora comes from China, where angora rabbits are fed poor diets, resulting in a lack of protein needed to grow lustrous fur – as well as being shorn too often, which typically causes their fibers to be too short to twist into a durable yarn. Chinese-produced angora is often combined with synthetic fibers and poor quality wool, which also makes it itchy, shed, and pill over time. Compared to angora rabbits raised in China, cruelty-free angora will never be itchy or shed because the fiber is delicately handled and shorn during the rabbits natural molting cycles, as well as washed with mild detergent ridding it of most allergen causing properties.
A natural "blooming" or "halo" affect will occur
where the fibers spread to create this fuzzy effect
As the popularity of angora increases, Amibika Conroy hopes that the facts about angora will come to the forefront as she works to educate consumers about ethical fur. Cruelty-free raised angora rabbits provide a loving alternative to other popular fur animals like goats, sheep, and alpaca since they require less space and provide benefits such nutrient-rich manure and low-impact living solutions.
Ambika Conroy and bunny in layers of compassion
We love that Ambika also works with many of the same women that crocheted her original bikini designs. Her head crocheter, Helen Brown, is seventy-five years old and has been working with the designer for over eleven years. Ambika looks forward to further greening her business by partnering with a wind-powered mill in the Hudson Valley and expanding her collection to include home goods, menswear, jewelry, and eco fiber baby clothes.
Elieen Moran of NOW Showcase wearing an Ambika Friendly Furs hat
and Verspertine jacket at MINT Modefabriek in Amsterdam
(photo courtesy of Vespertine)
Ambika Friendly Furs will be featured at NOW Showcase NY (capsule) in Chelsea this week. NOW founder, Eileen Moran, is long-term supporter of cruelty-free fashion alternatives.
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