Designers cherish ostrich leather because of the strength and suppleness of the leather; the attractive polka dot texture of the quill patterns that give warmth and depth to the leather and add light and shade to its coloring; the receptiveness of the leather to the dying process which means that it can be tinted with an infinite range of colors.
They say that having an accessory that was made from an ostrich skin confers an air of sophistication and though more expensive than python, it is an investment that really last for years. A genuine ostrich bag lasts on average 30 years, as opposed to the 5 or 6 years that a calf-skin bag usually lasts. Ostrich skin is also naturally water resistant, so is also far more hard-wearing than crocodile or python.
Do you know that:
The most desirable part of the ostrich skin is the crown, the back of the bird, where its neck meets its body, which is patterned by the characteristic quill follicles. It is these textured polka dots on the skin that make it instantly recognizable as ostrich. They cover only a third of the skin's area and are flanked by smooth, unpatterned skin, which, though it has all the same qualities of softness and durability is considered less prestigious in the fashion world. The price of the ostrich leather is dictated by the quantity of quill follicles it has and by the condition of the skin, which can be damaged by parasites, scarring or scratches. The best leather comes from birds aged about 10-15 months, which are full sized but are less likely to have suffered damage and whose skin is just the right thickness for making luxury goods. ~ Glen It
I wonder how PETA will react to this growing trend..the Ostrich-skin trend....
