What exactly is exotic leather and why is it so expensive? Is it legal to buy and is it sustainable? What are the properties of exotic leather and is it any better than ordinary leather. If you would like to know a bit more then read on for an in-depth look.
Exotic leathers are unique in appearance, texture, colour and feel compared to regular leather. There is limited production which makes up about 10% of the world’s total leather production. It is obtained from animals that are considered rare which are used solely for their hides not their meat.
Some leathers are considered exotic throughout the world except for the country they originate in. An example would be Kangaroo leather, which is native to Australia but not found throughout the rest of the world. Ostrich leather is another example which is common in South Africa but only found in a few other countries throughout the world.
Properties of an Exotic Leather.
When you think of the term exotic leather, it conjures up images of crazy cowboy boots or handbags with unusual textures that are ridiculously expensive. And you wouldn’t be far off, but is it any better than regular vegetable tanned bovine leather? And the answer is no, not really. Yes, it’s unique in appearance and rare, but otherwise it’s more or less the same as regular leather.
Leather should have at least 4 of the following properties in order to be classified as exotic. Some leathers have all these characteristics and others only a few, but they are still considered exotic.
- Unique texture or unique surface pattern.
- Rare species or is the population strictly controlled.
- Colour is unique or different.
- Used solely for its leather and not the animals meat.
- Tanning process is unique.
- Price of leather.
Examples of Exotic Leather.
The Exotic leather market makes up about 10% of all leather production. It’s a niche market that is worth billions.
Here is a list of some of the exotic leathers found worldwide:
- Alligator
- Buffalo
- Caiman
- Camel
- Crocodile
- Donkey
- Eel
- Elephant
- Frog
- Fish
- Giraffe
- Hippo
- Kangaroo
- Lizard
- Ostrich
- Seal
- Snake
- Shark
- Stingray
- Turtle
- Zebra
- Yak
The list above is by no means a complete list as there are plenty of other species that could be added. I have just taken a few of the main types found throughout the world. In reality you could make leather from almost any mammal, fish, reptile, bird etc.
Is Exotic leather any better than regular bovine leather?
No, exotic leather isn’t better than conventional bovine leather. It isn’t stronger, more durable or more waterproof or permeable. It doesn’t require less maintenance than regular leather and still needs to be conditioned/cleaned on a regular basis.
Yes, certain exotic leathers have unique characteristics or qualities that can make it more durable or stronger than regular leather. Kangaroo leather for example is extremely strong for its thickness and far surpasses bovine leather in this area. However, the main appeal of exotic leather is in its appearance and uniqueness. Ostrich, Crocodile or Alligator are some examples.
Why is Exotic leather so expensive?
Exotic leather is a product of its environment that has developed from years of evolution by adapting to its surroundings in order to hunt, live and survive. This could be an animal from the ocean, bush, forest or sand.
Exotic Leather is expensive because it’s rare and limited in quantity. If there is a small population or the population is restricted by quotas for hunting this also has an affect on price. Demand and supply definitely increases the price.
If there is a specialised or rigid tanning process it will also affect the price. The intricacy of the process and how exact the tanning process needs to be will also affect the overall price.
The size of the hide also has an affect on the price as this will determine the number of hides that are required to make up a particular bag, jacket etc. An good example would be snake leather as the hides are fairly small and a few would be needed to make up some boots.
The price of exotic leather can vary greatly from mammal to mammal. If you would like to have a look at some of the types and the prices associated with them then please have a look at the leather guys shop for some more info. He has quite an extensive range available.
Is Exotic leather Legal?
The trade and sale of exotic leathers are strictly controlled. Certain leathers are protected by CITES. This stands for Convention on International Trade In Endangered species of wild flora and fauna. This organisation helps to control the trade of animals, leather etc. between countries.
A registered paper trail is required from source to destination. This is so the origin of the leather can be tracked or traced back to its original source as well as its final destination.
That isn’t to say that it will prevent the illegal trade in exotic leather, but it does help to control it to a certain degree. Reputable dealers will not jeopardize their reputations by buying exotic leather from unknown sources that can’t be traced back to its source.
CITES helps keep the industry legal and sustainable as over production which would lead to extinction. Over supply would also be a problem as this would affect the prices.
Where are most Exotic leathers used for.
The most common use of exotic leather would be for the manufacture of boots, shoes, handbags, bags, wallets, jackets and many other items. The major fashion houses of the world function and flourish due to their exotic leather range and customers pay extraordinary amounts of money for these items.
Conclusion
Hope the above post helped you understand the world of exotic leather and why it’s such a unique and expensive product. If you would like learn a bit more about leathercraft then check out some of my other posts on my blog. Also check out my posts on these exotic leathers if you would like to learn a bit more about Kangaroo leather and Ostrich leather. They are some of the most “common” exotic leathers found today.