Marni Fall 2005 Astrakhan Coat

This glossy black astrakhan coat piece is a stand-out piece from Marni’s Fall 2005 collection. Astrakhan, also known as Persian lamb, is a distinctive fur taken from young karakul sheep, prized for its tightly curled texture and soft, lustrous surface. Marni’s use of these materials ties to its origins: founded in Milan in 1994 by Swiss-born designer Consuelo Castiglioni, the label began as an offshoot of her husband’s family fur business, which supplied pelts to major luxury houses including Dior, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. Initially conceived as a creative side project within the fur trade, Marni evolved into an independent fashion house celebrated for its avant-garde aesthetic.

Fall 2005 saw Marni balance traditional craftsmanship with modernism. As Vogue wrote, “Castiglioni did ‘eccentric’ years before the fashion community began to use it as a term of approval.” In Marni’s Fall 2026 show, the first by creative director Meryll Rogge, the astrakhan coat again took center stage. Searches for the original jackets have surged, as collectors look for originals and balk at Marni’s $11,300 (£8,500) price tag.

The coat falls in a classic straight cut and fastens down the front with hidden snap-style hook-and-eyes - an industrial detail that offsets the glossy fur. It has a vent at the back. The coat is lined throughout in black silk. The stitching on the label is hand-tacked at the corners - a hallmark of Marni's most luxurious pieces.

• Marni Fall 2005 • Astrakhan fur • Straight cut • Rear vent • Snap-style hook closures • Lined in black silk • Made in Italy

Fabric: 100% Astrakhan fur
Lining: Silk
Size on Label: One size
Stretch: No
Care: Dry clean only
Condition: Excellent

Length: 114.5 cm (45 inch)
Bust: 91.5 cm (36 inch)
Waist: 86.5 cm (34 inch)
Hips: 101.5 cm (40 inch)
Sleeve length (outer): 63.5 cm (25 inch)