A Sweet Life
An exhibition about fashion in a Liverpool sugar merchant's family, held at Sudley House from 9 April 2009 to Spring 2010.
Made by Cripps, Sons and Co, 12-14 and 16 Bold Street, Liverpool
Accession number WAG 1967.187.2
Coat of maroon-coloured wool lined with silk. Deep stand-up collar and cuffs of brindle-coloured rabbit fur.
Many of Emily Tinne's coats and other outdoor garments are made of fur. Real fur was widely used in fashionable dress during the 1920s and 1930s. Unlike today there was no debate about the ethics of using fur in clothing.
Despite having a wide range of expensive fur coats, she hardly ever wore any of them. Her family believe that she bought many of them during the Depression, so that Liverpool's poorly-paid shop assistants could receive the much-needed commission on the sale.