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When Candy and Flowers Just Aren't Enough - Give Leather
Sixes, OR -Jan 2005 - Soft, flowing and with a quill pattern that covers the
entire hide, emu leather seems a natural for the fashion and accessory industry.
Add to that the reptilian pattern of the leg skins as a natural contrast and you
have a winning combination sure to win your Valentine’s heart. So why is it so
hard to find emu leather products in stores?
Handbags, belts, wallets, boots, shoes and other accessories show up under a web
search for emu leather, all competitively priced and nearly all are on
farm-to-finish websites. The American emu farmer seems to have successfully done
what many other industries are only just recently trying; they have cut out the
middleman, increased their profit and given the consumer the opportunity to buy
a luxury product at half what it would cost through an upscale store.
Some farmers participate in a ‘leather bank’ where their hides are stored until
they are ready to convert them to products. “Occasionally we hear about someone
who wants to have emu leather pants made,” said Pat Sauer, Executive Director of
the American Emu Association. Sauer went on to say “Our farmers are only too
happy to sell complete hides or leg skins directly to the consumer.”
The American Emu Association is a non-profit trade association representing the
emu industry. The emu industry is an alternative agricultural industry,
dominated by the small farmer, who is devoted to humane and environmentally
positive practices that will produce beneficial products for society. For more
information about the American Emu Association (AEA) or the emu industry visit
http://www.aea-emu.org or call 541-332-0675. ###
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