| Can you guess who wore the first known handbag or | | | | restrictions on the use of some skins due to laws |
| purse? Ötzi, the Iceman, a travelling gent who lived | | | | protecting endangered species. |
| circa 3300 B.C. He was found in the Schnalstal | | | | While leather is the most desirable of materials, it is |
| glacier in the Otztal Alps near Hauslabjoch on the | | | | also the most expensive of materials. Purse |
| border between Austria & Italy. Ötzi’s | | | | manufacturers realized the potential market of women |
| clothing for the most part was made from several | | | | who could not always afford the leather purse and |
| natural materials such as woven grass, bearskin, and | | | | had to find a more economical yet just as durable |
| different leather skins. Otzi, however had attached to | | | | material. Hence, synthetics were developed. |
| his belt a piece of sewn-on leather that could be | | | | Synthetics such as vinyl, polyurethane, pleather and |
| closed with a fine leather thong. Hence the first | | | | probably many more names became a lower cost |
| evidence of an accessory used by “Man” to | | | | substitute for leather and can be sometimes called |
| carry items. | | | | “faux” leather. These types of materials have |
| We haven’t changed much in 5300 years; leather | | | | also enable manufacturers to produce handbags and |
| is still the most popular material to manufacture our | | | | purses that are very similar to actual Designer |
| handbags & purses. With the tanning process, | | | | Handbags while being a lower cost alternative to the |
| leather becomes a durable, long lasting natural material. | | | | everyday woman who cannot afford to pay $250 - |
| Leather is ideal for a fashion accessory that is | | | | $2500 for a “Designer Leather Handbag”. |
| subjected to all kinds of wear, tear and weather.With | | | | Last but not least, textiles can be used in purse |
| the many treatments developed, an extensive variety | | | | making. Fabrics at both ends of the spectrum are |
| of “looks” are available to designers to create | | | | used to manufacture a variety of Handbags. Burlap, a |
| those beautiful handbags. | | | | coarse bumpy fabric, cotton & canvas are most |
| The predominate types of leather used today are: | | | | popular fabrics used for casual bags. Peau de soie, |
| Calfskin made from the hides of young cattle and has | | | | silk brocade, moiré, bengaline & crepe used to |
| a soft smooth textureIt makes an excellent choice for | | | | create those oh so elegant evening bags for a night |
| the very best quality of handbags. | | | | on the town. For the lady who loves patterns, |
| Kip (Steerhide), still from the bovine, a slightly older | | | | needlepoint, cross stitch and petit point create beautiful, |
| animal, not as fragile as calfskin, but somewhat stiffer | | | | richly designed handbags for afternoon tea. Velvet |
| and not as fine. | | | | material adds a richness and luster to any handbag. |
| Cowhide comes from the full grown animal and has a | | | | As we move into the 21st century with the focus |
| grain making it popular for the casual look. | | | | gradually becoming more on our environment & |
| Sheep & lambskin is a fine grain leather lighter | | | | natural resources, Eco-Friendly handbags made from |
| than the bovine class. As sheep farming is not the | | | | recycled waste are now appearing on the market. I |
| major animal industry within North American, this skin is | | | | would have never thought that newspaper could be |
| usually imported. | | | | used to make a handbag but who knows anything |
| Reptile – oh yes, the skin can be used to make | | | | goes! But as a card carrying member of the female |
| trendy purses with the unique design of the original | | | | half of the population as long as it holds what I need |
| reptile’s skin. However, there are some | | | | and I can close it, then we are good to go! |