I purchased this coat at a Goodwill. The label says "vicunoor" - not "vicuna", but it is an Einiger coat and I know they did a lot with vicuna. Does anyone know what vicunoor means? Couldn't find anything on the web. Also, do you think the fur is silver fox? Thanks for any and all help!
Need help with identifying vicuna coat
- Thread starter patti57
- Start date
Thank you so much. I looked at the ads, but I still don't know if it is actually vicuna. What does vicunoor mean and why wouldn't they just print vicuna if that is, in fact, what it is? Could vicunoor be a blend using vicuna?
Hi there, That is a very pretty coat. I love the color and the plush fur trim. Your coat looks like loomed Wool with Blue Fox fur trim. Blue Fox Fur is actually white with brownish black tips. Vicuñas are animals that are raised for their fine wool. Their wool is more expensive and feels soft to the touch. The name Vicunoor though is just a name chosen by the maker of the Wool fabric who most likely called it Vicunoor because they wanted others to associate the quality of their wool with that of Vicuña wool.
cmpollack
VFG Member
I found a 1964 article about Jack Einiger, the company founder (they began in 1948) which says he came up with a fabric called "vicunaire" which blended wool and vicuna. (He also combined wool and cashmere to make "cashmaire").
Eineger's specialty was cashmere, which they made in various "grades", and they did make vicuna coats as well (for about 2 or 3x the price of the cashmere).
Eineger's specialty was cashmere, which they made in various "grades", and they did make vicuna coats as well (for about 2 or 3x the price of the cashmere).
This was an ad from August 24th, 1962. The advertisement mentions a Norwegian Fox Collar and Cuffs on Einiger's Vicunoor Fur Blend. Based on this ad I do think it is a blended wool and there may be some Vicuña wool in there. You can really only be sure what the blend is if you find a reference that breaks down the fiber content. I do think the name was made up so those looking would think it was made in part of Vicuña wool just like you thought it might be. Sometimes these blends remind me of down pillows though. They are advertised as down but many times you find out they have 95% feathers and only 5% of goose down which allows them to get away with calling them down. With that said I think this is just as desirable of a coat either way.
