PAUL WALTZER
150 W. 30th St., Second fl.
212-242-6900
Fashion’s return to fur has many women pulling out their inheritances from cold storage—only to find that loose, boxy full-length mink far less stylish than they remember. Turning those old pelts into something up-to-date and chic requires specialized skills. Paul Waltzer, the fourth generation in his family business, can transform tired furs into shawls (made from Loro Piana cashmere fabric trimmed with your fur); cute vests; and, this season—possibly because of the weirdly sustained popularity of the poncho—lots of shrugs, boleros, and little evening wraps, starting at $2,000. One of the most popular choices, he says, is a mink-lined raincoat, for which Waltzer recommends shearing the mink and selecting a silk taffeta for the outer shell. On a recent visit, Waltzer’s crew had just finished one such transformation ($2,900) and was hard at work making several vests from short coats ($2,000).