An Icon of Elegance: Introducing Ostrich Straps
Ostrich leather is a relatively new type of leather with the first tannery opening in 1970 in Klein Karoo. Before this, little was known about tanning ostrich skin. It quickly gained popularity with fashion houses in Europe and the United States who made luxury boots, belts, and bags from ostrich crown, a very smooth material with raised bumps which are actually the quill follicles where the feathers grow.
In addition to the crown, there is more beautiful leather to be had from the ostrich legs which is what we use in our watch straps. It has a distinct, scaly texture reminiscent of crocodile or lizard, and it’s ideal if you’re looking for something bold and exotic. Each ostrich leg is unique, which gives every strap a true bespoke feel. As the scales vary in size along the leg, we can highlight different textures, and we guarantee you’ll never get bored looking at your ostrich leg strap.
We source our ostrich leather from the Netherlands, where ostrich farming started in the early 1990s. In 1993, the European Ostrich Association was founded to coordinate producers across the European Union, and the Netherlands was the first member state to move from pilot studies into commercial production. In December of that year, the Van de Staak family in Tilburg began with just five adult birds, and quickly expanded to become the largest ostrich farm in the country with over a thousand birds a decade later.
The Dutch farms generally manage breeding flocks in small groups, typically ten adults per pen, arranged as four males with six females, which allows for natural mating habits and regular health checks. To supplement farming income, many of the Dutch farms have embraced agritourism. They offer guided tours, farm shops that sell ostrich meat and leather goods, as well as educational programs. Through this, the world’s largest bird once native only to Africa, has become a genuine rural attraction of the Dutch countryside.
If you’re in the market for an ethical and sustainable exotic leather, our ostrich leg watch strap is the perfect choice for you.
