Recycled Reptiles
Reptile skin is an exotic leather, and includes lizard, snake, alligator, eel, stingray, and ostrich. The scales and skin of exotic leather is held together by membranes, an armour-like skin that is a primary defence against predators, and an extremely moisture tolerant barrier against their aquatic environments.
However, it is more than merely beautiful: this strength makes it durable, and longer-lasting lasting than cowhide or the leather of other mammals. A premium quality exotic leather wallet should serve for five to six years, compared with a cow leather wallet. Even at top quality, the latter may last only two years.
Lauren Merkin pink stingray leather ‘Allie’ clutch
Cleaning Exotic Leather
Keeping accessories clean and dry is the best way to care for them. To clean them, do not use cleaning or conditioning products designed for cow leather as these will damage most exotic leathers; use products specifically for them. After cleaning with a clean damp cloth or appropriate cleaning product, condition the item to replace lost emollients and reseal the leather. An excellent natural product to use is extra fine beeswax: lightly applied, gently rubbed in and then lightly buffed off.
Chanel ivory ostrich leather 2.55 jumbo classic single flap bag
A Vintage Collection
My vintage exotic leather accessories have certainly stood the test of time. The snakeskin bag is sewn from strips of leather, alternating with natural coloured hide, celadon and viridian green. It’s Italian-made and cost me $5 at a Salvos.
It had an ugly long strap of
‘pleather’ (quite a different beast), which I cut off.
The bright turquoise shoes are also snakeskin, and were bought on eBay. I also own a little snakeskin clutch bag made in a delicious shade of vanilla that I bought on Etsy. It had an ugly long strap of ‘pleather’ (quite a different beast), which I cut off. Another eBay purchase was a large dark brown crocodile tote good for shopping. And yet another op-shop discovery was a little jade green eelskin bag, a bargain at $8.
Cherry red Gianmarco Lorenzi double platform eel skin shoes
Dinosaurs are reptiles too
The dinosaur spine (also a kind of giant reptile!) necklace however, is made from recycled shells and new grey freshwater pearls. The shells once formed an unattractive belt. I bought that also for a song at the Salvos, and chopped off the cord that knotted the shells into a belt. It certainly is a statement necklace and fragile – as much as the ecosystems all these creatures come from. It makes me glad to know that at least my exotic leathers are all recycled.