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Left: Anya Hindmarch Charlie, $1575; Right: YSL Besace Flap in Leopard Buffalo Hair $2995
There were a lot of questions regarding ponyhair, haircalf or in industry terms, hair-on leather. What the heck is it? Is it pony? Is it cow? Well, it is most commonly cow, although it can be done with buffalo or any other animal for that matter (shearling is the sheep version of this) but it is usually not actual pony. Basically, it is the hair side of the animal. It is considered a "pelt", same as fur. The leather that we are most familiar with is actually the underside, the non-hair side of the skin. Haircalf (the most common term but in fashion pony hair is used to make it sound sexier) is more expensive than the average leather but the cost is in the finish of the hair, since it needs to be treated (chrome tanned is a process that gives the hair the super shiny sheen), most of the time it is cut down short (this is necessary for any use other than a rug, as in, in a cowboy's house), and it is dyed. If you've ever been to a farm, I don't need to tell you what the natural colors are - solid black, black and white, brown and white or tricolors of black, brown and white. It is dyed white first and any color or pattern can then be put on it, even metallic. As with leather, prices vary widely depending on how many of these treatments it has had. In general, the haircalf version is also more expensive than the leather counterpart because it is harder to work with during manufacturing. The care for haircalf is pretty simple. Don't get gum or oil on it and you can pretty much clean it nicely with a dry cloth. If you get something on it, use a slightly damp cloth but then dry it with a dry cloth immediately after. Always go with the grain of the hair! It can also be sprayed with the same silicone spray for suede but whatever you do, stay away from Scotch Guard, even their warning says not to use it on anything other than fabric. I guess the question you all want answered is now obvious. No, it is not considered exotic since it is just plain ole' cow. But if you are looking for an alternative to humdrum leather, haircalf is definitely more unique and bold.
I´m really not very interested in these hairy bags. I think that it is emotional,since I´m fond of animals. Exotics are ok,cause they are quite distant for me. I realize that this is a paradox, cause they are animals too.This is a tough one.
Great article, thanks.
I had a haircalf bag and it would shed so I never thought to buy another one until I saw a Jimmy Choo that I fell in love with, it's jet black and doesn't shed so if you're going to get a pony hair get a good quality one.
This is entirely ridiculous I know, because dead animal hide is dead animal hide, but pony hair creeps me out. I like the idea of different textures changing the look of the bag, particularly if it's black, (see Anya Hindmarch's Slade for instance) but just the thought of touching it makes my skin crawl.
Ditto. I know it doesn't make any sense, like you said, but carrying pony hair makes me feel like carrying ostrich... It reminds me that I'm wearing somebody else's skin, and I don't like that feeling at all. I should really just give up on leather, I'm the worst vegetarian in history. :/
Don't worry! I'm the worst vegetarian in history too! My closet doesn't do wonders for sticking up for my eating habits :(
Mette and other creeped out peeps,
It is biologically natural to be more put off with cow or pony than with a reptile skin. The cows are mammals, as we are, and share so many more biological traits. The further away from our make-up, the more tolerant we are to killing.
Reptiles are cold blooded, egg laying, animals.
I once sat in an intro biology class, and during the lecture, the prof kept cutting off flowers from a pot, and putting them into a vase. The point was, he was executing the plant, but no reaction was give. He then took out a field mouse, and the entire hall erupted.