Think about that faux fur collar that lines your or your friend's jacket. Stylish, isn't it? Almost everyone you know has one. You never really think about where this fake fur comes from. You just assume that it's made from synthetic materials, assembled in a domestic factory and attached to that Sean John, Rocawear or Baby Phat coat. Even the haute couture labels like Calvin Klein, Max Mara and Michael Kors use faux fur on their jackets. You think it's the trendy, and ethical, thing to do.

Well think again. Recent findings by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) have discovered some very disturbing facts regarding this so-called fake fur. According to ABC news, a sampling of twenty-five coats, which included the brands mentioned above, has revealed that twenty-four were incorrectly labeled; they either contained real fur after being advertised as fake, or the real fur came from an animal different from the one listed on the label.

What's scary is the source of the real fur. As if the mislabeling of real fur as fake weren't bad enough, HSUS claims that the majority of real fur is actually raccoon dog, a canine (yes, dog!) species indigenous to Asia, where many American garments are produced. Although the raccoon dog bears a striking resemblance to the raccoon, make no mistake about it: it is in the canine—as in dog—family.

Raccoon DogThis revelation was first made public by HSUS in December of 2006, when it began testing jackets sold in legitimate department stores like Macy's, Burlington Coat Factory, and J.C. Penney. After the discovery that many faux fur jackets did in fact comprise real fur, the tests also revealed that real fur was being mislabeled. Both faux and real fur used on brands like Sean John, Rocawear and even Beyonce's House of Dereon were using raccoon dog fur, a violation of the Fur Products Labeling Act.

In an article published on December 22, 2006 on the HSUS website, Sean "Diddy" Combs, the mogul behind Sean John clothing, released a statement that asserted his ignorance in the faux-fur matter: "I was completely unaware of the nature of this material". He also stated that the Sean John snorkel jacket, which tested positive for raccoon dog fur but was advertised as faux, would be pulled from shelves.

Sean CombsMany other designers have maintained their innocence. In an article posted on December 20 on HSUS, a spokesman for Calvin Klein stated that the company was unaware of raccoon dog fur in one of their jackets, sold at Burlington Coat Factory under the guise of containing real raccoon fur. However, he stated that Calvin Klein is committed to eliminate fur in their collection by 2008.

Tina Knowles, Beyonce's mother and one of House of Dereon's designers, also condemned the mislabeling: "We don't want to have to guess about what types of products we are using and consumers shouldn't have to guess either."

In Corporate America, many offices have switched from suits to a business casual policy. Men are dressing down from full three-piece suits, oxford shirts and ties down to golf shirts, khakis and loafers. As women, we need to be more careful about dressing appropriately in the working environment. How can we dress down without crossing the threshold of revealing, beachy, or just plain inappropriate? With a few basic guidelines, the modern woman can indulge in the fashion world – piecing together funky and dressy outfits that transition wonderfully from weekend to working day woman – without breaking the bank.

Quality vs. Quantity?!

Ahh... the question that all women ponder when flipping through the racks of clothing – is that $350 blazer really worth it? ...or could I save myself a couple bucks buying the knock-off version at the Gap? My advice is this: classic & well-made always wins over trendy & cheap. There is no substitute for a well-made piece of clothing – and if you think that people won't notice: you're dead wrong. I often encourage women to spend the extra $150 for that blazer that you really love – not only will it look unique and special, but what you will probably find is that in the long run, you'll likely get more mileage out of a well-constructed piece of clothing.

I believe in buying classic lines – for the young professional woman, looking to build up her arsenal of work-appropriate attire. Classic colours and cuts are key to building up a solid wardrobe. Whether it be the thickness or delicate nature of a fabric, I look for fine stitching, no pilling, goodness of fit 'on the body' and then attention to detail (by the designer). When a designer chooses to command a higher price point for an item of clothing, I look to see what factors make that piece unique – whether it be cut, quality or design. If the item does not fit into any of these categories, we deem the piece (and probably the store) as overpriced.

Professional by Day... Vixen by Night?

The modern-day woman knows how to be a chameleon – transitioning from corporate professional to night-time party girl. Without breaking the bank, here are a few tips to 'stretching the closet'.

1. Suits: Wait...how do I party in a business suit? Often higher end stores, will carry suits that are sold in separates: jacket with a skirt or pant option. If a full suit costs $1000, the jacket usually covers 70% of that price since so much more detail and construction goes into a blazer, rather than a skirt or a pair of pants. Aside from my two basic black suits (in both pant and skirt option), I tend to gravitate towards fun, whimsical suits. Still looking for classic lines, detail and good construction, I choose suits that wear well from day to night. Often a suit with a great cut and unique design can be pieced separately so that the jacket can be toned down with a great pair of jeans.

These days, a fantastic blazer is almost an essential to party girl's nighttime wardrobe. A structured piece that frames the face and sets up the bottom half of the body, is key to looking well put-together. Having said that, a full-suit often looks too dressed up at the office (unless you are going to see clients) – which makes the bottom half a perfect separate on its own. A well-made pair of suit pants or a suit skirt can be easily dressed down with a bright twin-set on top, or else a luxurious top paired up with a knit cardigan. Matched up with a classic set of working gal pumps, you've got yourself a killer work outfit. For the nightowl, throw on your sexiest jeans (with that great butt-shot), that rockin' camisole and throw on your funky suit jacket (with great detailing) to keep warm during the nighttime breeze.

2. Twin-sets... a woman's best friend. The combination of matching cardigan and sleeveless shell/tank is the perfect top-fit to take an outfit from day to evening. Pulling the cardigan over the sleeveless exposure at the office, the woman puts together a polished uniform look without showing her arms or bordering on an inappropriate top half. A woman should never be caught just wearing a top with spaghetti straps and in some more conservative offices, wearing tops with no sleeves is a taboo in itself. Not only is the cardigan useful to cover-up, but often, in the cool air-conditioned office, it doubles up to keep a girl warm at her desk. At night, she strips down to reveal a sexy shoulder or neckline, accessorized with some funky jewelry – and she's ready to get down and dirty.

3. Pump up the Volume. Working girl needs an arsenal of fantastic footwear. Don't let this small detail be overlooked. One can tell a lot about an individual by the look of their shoes. Are their shoes well maintained, polished and refined? I always stress to women that shoes are not to be left out of the budget. Don't scrimp on cheap footwear – your feet will surely pay the price as they bear the full weight of your body with each step you take. A young professional needs three great pairs of classic pumps. Avoiding styles that are too trendy - a working girl first needs basic colours (black and tan) in a medium height (2.5 – 3 inches)... slightly rounded pointed toe with a classic refined heel. Look for detailing that makes the shoe special but one that bears the weight of your body well. Remember, a well made shoe will be comfortable, even in height.