The Feline Icon | 1960s Russell Taylor for La France Leopard Faux Fur Coat
A spectacular late-1960s statement coat with all the drama of the era. Styled by Russell Taylor in plush La France faux fur, the coat is covered in a beautifully variegated leopard print in warm tawny beige, caramel and black.
The silhouette is especially strong: a sweeping knee-length shape, oversized sculptural collar, double-breasted front, bracelet-length sleeves and a wonderful half-belt at the back finished with an oversized circular buckle. Worn open, the collar falls dramatically around the shoulders; buttoned, it becomes a full-on 1960s glamour piece.
Why We Love It
Because leopard never learned how to whisper.
This has the proportions and attitude that make vintage outerwear so collectible: enormous collar, beautiful swing through the body and a print bold enough to become the entire outfit. The faux fur also has a wonderfully convincing depth and variation rather than the flatter, more uniform look often seen in contemporary reproductions.
The back may be our favorite detail—the fitted half-belt and oversized ring buckle create an unexpectedly polished finish from every angle.
Measurements
Shoulders: 17"
Pit to pit: 21"
Waist: 21"
Length: 39"
Sleeve: 21"
Measurements taken flat and are approximate.
Condition - Exterior Good/ Interior Fair
The exterior presents beautifully. There are areas of staining, small holes and age-related wear to the interior lining, as photographed. These flaws are internal and do not diminish the visual impact of the coat when worn.
Collector’s Notes
La France was a textile manufacturer within Riegel Textile Corporation and produced plush fabrics specifically designed to replicate the richness of fur. Surviving coats from the period can be found carrying the same “Fabric by La France” designation, including late-1960s examples by several coat makers. Period La France garments were even instructed to be cleaned using fur-coat methods—a telling indication of how seriously these textiles were engineered to mimic the handling and appearance of genuine fur.
Russell Taylor also appears on surviving vintage faux-fur coats associated with names such as Borgana and Mincara, suggesting that “Styled by Russell Taylor” identified a designer or styling line specializing in this luxurious category of outerwear rather than being merely a fabric designation. Comparable Russell Taylor coats are generally attributed to the late 1960s into the early 1970s.
The leopard version is particularly desirable. By the 1960s, convincing faux animal skins allowed women to embrace the extravagant visual language of leopard without relying exclusively on genuine exotic fur. More than half a century later, the strongest surviving examples have become collectible precisely because they capture that unmistakable mid-century combination of glamour, theatricality and textile innovation.