In keeping with the upward trend, the number of visitors was up by 11% in comparison to last year at this year’s Fur Fair, based on data collected at the International Exhibition Center of Kastoria, which opened its doors from May 2nd to 5th 2019 to welcome 1.504 visitors from 42 countries. More specifically, buyers came from the following countries: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, China, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Moldavia, Nepal, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Russian buyers showed the biggest jump in percentage, up 13.14% as against last year, making up the bulk of this year’s clientele. There was also an increase in the number of fashion buyers from Ukraine, Turkey, Italy, Romania and South Korea, a sure source of satisfaction for the 121 exhibitors/furriers participating in the 44th KIFF. On show at this edition, fur coats and jackets, bags and accessories, pelts and leather goods of top-notch quality in a wide range of colours and designs, following the fashion trends for A/W 2019-20. This year’s Fashion Gala Show was one of the highlights of the event yet again. The superb fur creations of 11 of the most significant fur-making businesses were presented on the catwalk. This year’s Gala was held in the jam-packed indoor Stadium in Kastoria, where a dreamy set was built as the backdrop to the beautiful men and women’s fur garments manufactured by Greece’s furriers. Another interesting event for the fur sector was the conference organized as part of the 44th KIFF in collaboration with the International Fur Federation (IFF) concerning the FurMark global certification and traceability program for the fur sector, more and more interested in sustainable practices. The 44th KIFF was organized by the Kastorian Fur Association, TIF-HELEXPO and the West Macedonia Regional Unit. The Grand Sponsor was the NAFA Auction House and the Gold Sponsor was SAGA FURS. The Fair was also backed by the municipalities of Kastoria and Argos Orestiko. Τhe 45th KASTORIA International Fur Exhibition will be held on May 7th to 10th 2020 (Thursday-Sunday) at the International Exhibition Center of Kastoria (IECK).