In a season when it seems every designer in town is trimming dresses, jackets and wraps in fur, there was no doubt J. Mendel, which started as a furrier, would follow suit. It is just a little too obvious not to happen.

This collection didn’t stray from the straight and narrow. There were very pretty dresses and tall, lean trousers, all belted with “black satin obi trench belts,” a k a wrap-around satin belts, and decorated with fur in all the right places. Interestingly, some of the fuller skirts had fur on the underside, peaking out from the hem. What designer Giles Mendel did do with fur that was quite special was create a Fair Isle sweater woven out of mink, to spectacular results.

Flowing gowns are where Mendel’s skills really come into fruition. Black, navy, graphite and quartz hued columns were some of his best pieces, particularly those decorated with jet crystal. The origami, we could do without, particularly in the full-length version that resembled a cake plate.