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About Ostrich Leather
The flightless ostrich is the largest living bird in the world today that has, over the years, been commercially harvested for a whole host of by-products. Innovative South Africans realised the enormous potential of breeding ostriches commercially way back in the late 1850′s. At that stage in history it was the large grey, white and black feathers that were the main income source of the ‘ostrich barons’. In more recent years, however, it is ostrich leather that has commanded the highest price.
The fickleness of haute couture
The fickleness of haute couture soon turned on the fledgling ostrich feather industry, which was left reeling right up until the 1940′s when ostrich meat started growing in popularity. This prompted the construction of the first-ever dedicated ostrich abattoir and a resurgence of interest in all ostrich by-products, particularly that of the leather.
The demand for ostrich leather grew exponentially over the next forty years with exacting interest from the massive US market that enthusiastically crafted the unique leather into cowboy boots with matching accessories; a fashion ‘rage’ that has never lost its sparkle.
The huge international flavour for all things ostrich was effectively scuppered by the emergence of the apartheid regime and the consequential trade sanctions against the country and all her products.
The emergence of the ‘ostrich cartel’ in the States
However, a single American ostrich leather importer managed to ‘bust’ sanctions and cornered the market, effectively creating an ostrich cartel that allegedly rivalled that of the De Beers diamond cartel!
Prices were fixed at significantly high levels purely because of lack of competition, a move that would ensure the re-emergence of a healthy sector in the new, democratic South Africa of the 1990′s.
The ostrich industry’s roots remain firmly entrenched in the semi-desert region of the Cape, known as the Klein Karoo, with the town of Oudtshoorn as the commercial hub of ostrich farming in South Africa. Although South Africa remains the industry leader, prices have plummeted since the heady days of the cartel, as many countries around the world have imported birds to kick-start their own production.
Ostrich skin is uniquely characterised by its large dimples – the quill follicles – that are localised on the leather from the back of the bird. This area, called the crown, is the only part of the skin that is not smooth and comprises about half of the total leather harvested from a single ‘donor’.
‘Full quill’ leather commands the highest prices
It is this particular area of the skin, dubbed ‘full quill’, which is sought-after and commands the highest prices of all non-exotic leather available to man. Skins, generally in the range of 16sq ft in size, are graded according to their size, thickness and development of follicles.
Ostrich leather remains a fashion favourite nearly 160 years on with the unique skin used for the production of big brand ostrich purses, ostrich handbags, ostrich belts and ostrich leather shoes, boots and jackets. Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton are but a handful of leading designers who have consistently used ostrich leather in their collections.
Ostrich leather a big hit in the European automotive industry
It is not only the fashion fundis who are so attracted to the versatility of ostrich leather. In Europe, the automotive industry is big on ostrich leather as a rather glamorous material for car seats, dashboards and door panels, either in its original shade or a range of ostrich leather colours that would have made Henri Matisse, the ‘King of Colour’, drool with envy.
About the Author
The Safari Club specializes in exotic skin goods, ranging from fur, crocodile & ostrich handbags, wallets, purses and belts to zebra skins, leather luggage and home accessories like ottomans, antique chairs, sofas and frames of the finest quality – proudly handcrafted in South Africa from only 1st grade and Nature Conservation-approved animal skins and hides.
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