Shower Me With Ostrich
- Thread starter Kellybag
- Start date
my 2 cents:
ostrich is considered the most long lasting leather by hermes. even croc dries out more quickly. ostrich is a highly porous and fibrous leather which is why it takes color like a sponge. the color is just soaks into it instead of sitting on top. It is an exotic, but not so flashy like croc-- so it exudes a quiet opulence. I think in some ways it is the best leather to buy period! It is extremely hard to scratch. The leather between the quill marks has striations if you look closely which goes a long way towards camouflaging any damage or problems. NOW--the dark side of ostrich ........the porosity is why the handles darken. Some dont mind it but i think its best in black, choco, cognac and colors. I have a croc kelly in a dark color. Its by far my most beautiful bag ....................I feel that the ostrich is so understated. I bought a croc birkin a few years ago and didnt keep it because it seemed too flashy.
Some ladies are worried about the peeling. I have asked my store supervisor about it and she said the "eyes" are all hammered down so it will not drop off unless you knock the bag onto something. It's actually very durable. And if you spot the "eye" dropping, bring it back to the store for the craftsman to hammer it back.
Hi KB, can't add much to what Hermesaholic already stated but if anyone's interested, the general scientific name for ostrich is Struthio camelus (dork alert!). 
And from what I know, Hermes acquires their ostrich skins from S. Africa.
Anyway, here's my favorite color for ostrich--Cognac. It's neutral and therefore a little quieter and more demure than Orange, Fuchsia, etc., since ostrich is a distinctive and pretty flashy skin, IMHO. I am more comfortable carrying ostrich in this color than, say, Fuchsia or another bright color (although I can manage accessories in a brightly-colored ostrich). I also like that any eventual darkening won't be too obvious on this color. See the pretty striations in between the quill sockets?
And from what I know, Hermes acquires their ostrich skins from S. Africa.Anyway, here's my favorite color for ostrich--Cognac. It's neutral and therefore a little quieter and more demure than Orange, Fuchsia, etc., since ostrich is a distinctive and pretty flashy skin, IMHO. I am more comfortable carrying ostrich in this color than, say, Fuchsia or another bright color (although I can manage accessories in a brightly-colored ostrich). I also like that any eventual darkening won't be too obvious on this color. See the pretty striations in between the quill sockets?
Queenie, that reminds me--I posted a link here last summer of a former Hermes craftsperson hammering down each quill socket on pieces of ostrich skin and sewing them together. Neato!
i have the import cert for my kelly somewhere...........think it was south africa. that cognac is magnificent
Hi Queenie, how are you? I've just been busy & frankly too lazy to be around. LOL I've also been sneaking around in another subforum... Glad you like the Cognac ostrich. I consider it a comfy & hardy bag!
No problem, shoes319. Here you go. This is shoes319's lovely Gold ostrich Bolide 31 with gold hardware.
