As the falling snowflakes embedded Moscow in its long winter, a fur coat might seem a necessity rather than a luxury.

But while three Russian designers unveiled their glamorous wares in a fashion show at the State Historical Museum at Red Square, one of them had a different take.

"My mother couldn't afford a fur coat when I was young - so I don't see it as a necessity for keeping warm, I use it like any other material," said Igor Chapurin, who has used his Russian fashion house to bring creativity to fur.