Instead, Som's first major foray into designing fur has revealed an exceptional talent for the medium. His (non-fur) ready-to-wear collection displayed more of an adept hand at a variety of fur styles, types and techniques than experienced designers sometimes show in their collections made entirely of fur. And best of all, Som has designed beautiful furs that can work with women's wardrobes. Such results can't be just beginner's luck.

Fur fans might have a new star designer to watch.

This Fall Som's collection will be available at select Nordstrom stores and specialty stores across the U.S. plus at Restir in Kobe, Japan. Hopefully these stores also will carry his furs, which work with everything from jeans to evening gowns.

Like most young designers beginning to work with fur, however, you won't find traditional dark mink coats in Som's repertoire.

"Ten years ago, working with fur was taboo," says Som. "Now it's here to stay, because it's practical, warm and luxurious. But we have to move it forward. The challenge is to make it so it's not like your grandmother's fur. It has to be sexier but not trashy and appropriate for women of all ages and with active lives."

Som has always loved luxury fabrics, including fur. Last year he included some sheared rabbit with his sportswear. He wanted to do more with fur, but he found it an expensive material to risk experimentation. Then this year, Saga Furs of Scandinavia came calling, offering to sponsor his fur creations.

Now apparently he's hooked. He says he will definitely work with fur again for next fall, and a license agreement to make a full fur collection might be in his future. With a beginning like this, remember Peter Som's name.