 Italian design students introduced to ostrich leather24 May 2010
Ostrich leather is one of South Africa's finest luxury export products. As the representative body of the South African ostrich industry, the South African Ostrich Business Chamber (SAOBC) is responsible for generic promotion and raising awareness of ostrich leather world-wide.
"To create wider awareness of ostrich leather it is especially important to attract the attention of industrial and fashion design students to this extraordinary material. These young designers will be the trendsetters in the near future," says Anton Kruger, CEO, South African Ostrich Business Chamber, Oudtshoorn.
"Traditionally ostrich leather has been used in fashion items such as handbags, garments, shoes and accessories. It is only fairly recently that the home, yacht, automobile and the executive office have also benefited from the beauty of ostrich leather, but the biggest markets remain the handbag, shoe and accessory markets. However, we need to create a new generation of users of ostrich leather," says Anton.
"Although ostrich leather is a favourite among the world's leading fashion houses and manufacturers, there is still room to grow awareness of this richly textured leather. Every fashionable person should own at least one ostrich leather item!" says Anton.
"The SAOBC has participated in various international trade missions organised and funded by the South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) during the past two years. On each of these missions various outfits made from ostrich leather and ostrich feathers, designed by South African designers such as Deon Oelofse from Oudtshoorn, were showcased at fashion shows in Western and Eastern Europe, and received wide television coverage.
The Ars Sutoria School is a hotspot of cool ideas. Students crafted trendy boots and handbags from South African ostrich leather display their creative flair.
Fashion is a wonderful outlet for expressing creativity.
"While on these trade missions I visited leading fashion schools in Milan, Madrid, Lisbon and Moscow. All the schools were excited to become part of our awareness campaign and agreed to include ostrich leather in their curriculums for final year students. Apart from a three hour lecture on the character and application of ostrich leather, students have to use ostrich leather in at least one garment or fashion item such as a handbag or a pair of shoes for their final examination. The SAOBC supplies tanned, dyed South African ostrich skins in various colours and different finishes to these schools. A representative of the SAOBC will also be part of the final adjudicating panel on graduation day," says Anton.
The first fashion school the SAOBC approached was the Ars Sutoria in Milan.
Every detail is hand-crafted with utmost care, making the bearer of the ‘Made in Italy’ label feeling special.
Ostrich leather separates the exceptional from the ordinary.
The Ars Sutoria School is one of the best institutions in Italy where students learn the fine art of fashion and industrial design. Here young artisans are guided to mould new ideas into elegant wearable works of art made from the highest quality materials. Lessons in the methodology of designing, pattern-making and manufacturing of leather handbags, shoes and accessories are taught in-depth. Much attention is given to theoretical aspects such as measurements, size conversions, tanning processes and the production of footwear components. To apply their new found knowledge, students do much sketching and planning before they develop prototypes of their creative ideas.
The Ars Sutoria School has recently reported on the outcome of the first block of graduate students who used ostrich leather in their designs. The results are truly amazing. Excellent craftsmanship is being displayed in the knee-length boots, shoes, ankle boots and handbags. Each deserves the highly acclaimed 'Made in Italy' label!
The Ars Sutoria School wishes to continue their partnership with the SAOBC for the second group of final year students.
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