The Long Road to Fur Party

I love a good road trip. Especially one to the winterless north. I love climbing up into my trusty Lollipop and hitting the road. Lollipop is six metres long, making her the biggest truck you can drive on a standard car licence. Sitting up that high, using engine brakes on long descents, makes every trip feel like an adventure.

One day I’d love to add a proper air horn.

Keri Keri is a fair hike from my place in the Bay of Plenty and it takes about 5.5 hours to get there, however the infamous Fur Party at the Phathouse Brewery is worth every hill climb and gear change. Lollipop has a top speed of about 110km and that’s downhill with a tailwind. I don’t mind though as I get to cruise and enjoy the beautiful scenery. These days I never rush the journey. A stop at Utopia Café in Kaiwaka for coffee and food has become part of the tradition. 

Now in its 9th annual iteration, the Fur Party is exactly what it sounds like. Dress in fur and dance the night away in the award winning brewery as DJs AlleyKat and Matt Rapid bring the noise. The brewery is also dressed in fur with lots of tactile installations and thoughtful lighting. The kitchen pumps out yummy food and there's a selection of delicious beers on tap. What makes the Fur Party special isn't the fur - it's the people. Everyone embraces the theme in their own way, nobody is worried about being judged, and it’s fun from the moment you walk through the door.

As for the outfits? Anything goes. I met a local who had been possum shooting all week and hung the sterilised tails off his hat. Kinda creepy but cool. I also met another local dressed in an incredible hooded robe in white with programmable LED lighting. One girl was dressed in a stuffed toy bikini and my bestie @_madam_medusa_ was a friesian cow! She’d made a full onesie out of black and white cow print fur and paired it with a matching hooded vest with horns, and a cow bell. Follow her on IG to see her incredible talent.

I wore a fur jacket in neon pink and yellow with matching legwarmers that was totally giving 90s acid house vibes teamed with warped black and white checks. I've had it for years. The secret to looking after your faux fur is this - wash it on a low and gentle setting then pop it on a hanger to dry. Lastly, put it in the dryer on cold and add a couple of clean tennis balls. The balls will bounce around and separate any clumps and refluff your fluff. You can also do this for feather down jackets and sleeping bags. You’re welcome.

Events like the Fur Party remind me why I love this community so much. Nobody cares what label you're wearing, whether you made your outfit yourself or bought it the week before. If you've made the effort to show up, have a dance and express yourself, you're already part of it. 

I'll happily point Lollipop north again next year. She'll lumber up the Brynderwyns in her own sweet time (leaning forwards makes no difference whatsoever). I'll stop for my coffee in Kaiwaka, and before long we'll be parked outside the brewery ready to do it all again. Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Feeling inspired? Explore the Fluffies & Furs collection and build your own furry party outfit.

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Until next time,

Sam

Founder, Captain Fantastic

"Dressing for expression, not permission."