Find Rare and Exotic Leather Bags including Crocodile, Alligator, Lizard and Ostrich
Everyone wants an Hermès bag. But if we’re being specific, we really want an exotic skin Hermès bag. Exotic skins take your bag to the next level: rarer, more luxurious, and, of course, more coveted. The Hermès Himalaya, a matte Niloticus Crocodile handbag with gradations in color from soft grey to pure white, like the snow-capped mountains of its namesake. The bag is considered the most coveted handbag of the moment, in all its iterations.
It’s no exaggeration to say that Hermès searches the world for the very finest leathers and exotic skins. From Australia to the Amazon, it seeks out the best-quality skins to adorn its bags. You can find Porosus Crocodile bags in both Matte or glossy Lisse finishes. On rare occasions, Hermès combines several exotic skins in one handbag, such as the Grand Marriage Birkin Ghillies, made from Niloticus Crocodile, Ostrich and Lizard.
If you don’t know your alligator from your ostrich, follow our guide to differentiating the exotic skins that are still in production… or at least how to decipher the foil symbols embossed next to the Hermès stamp so you can easily identify the next Hermès exotic skin that catches your eye.
Porosus Crocodile
Symbol: ^ caret symbol
This beautiful exotic leather is considered the creme de la creme of exotic skins. It is prized for its pleasing symmetry and small, neat squares, which makes it one of the most coveted skins available. Porosus Crocodile is recognizable from the tiny pores on each scale. Hermès farms these Porosus crocodiles in Australia, using the comparatively smooth belly and flanks of the beast. The large size of these crocs makes them ideal for larger Kelly and Birkin bags. Porosus crocodiles are raised independently of each other, due to their highly territorial nature. This drives up the cost further but helps ensure flawless leather without scars.
This exotic skin comes in two varieties: Matte and Lisse (Shiny). To achieve the shiny effect, the leather receives a very careful and arduous agate stone polishing.
Niloticus Crocodile
Symbol: .. diaeresis symbol
The scales on a Nilotocus skin tend to be larger and less symmetrical than those on a Porosus although, without looking at the symbol on the bag, it can be tough to spot the difference. These crocs are farmed in the River Nile in Zimbabwe, hence the name.
Niloticus crocodiles come in both matte and shiny. Its large scales look matte and, when polished, make an ideal canvas for rich colors. Although it is a more durable leather than Porosus, water stains will be permanent. Generally, Niloticus is less expensive than Porosus, but there is one exception: the Hermès Himalaya, made from matte Niloticus.
The Himalaya is a labor-intensive dyeing technique, creating ombre shades of brown, grey and white. The Himalaya collection is among the rarest in the world and has broken numerous records at auction.
Alligator Mississippiensis
Symbol: □ square symbol
Alligator skin is similar to that of crocodile, but has larger and squarer scales with rougher ridges. It lacks the pores that can be seen between the scales of crocodile skin. Alligator scales tend to be more defined and the skin is thicker, which makes the bag more durable than those made of crocodile.
Umbilical scars are unique to alligators, as the only crocodilian to have this feature. This web of irregularly shaped scales is often placed prominently on bags as an easy identifier.
Though this species is native to the Mississippi River, Hermès farms them in Texas. This exotic skin also comes in matte and shiny.
Caiman Crocodile
Symbol: ○ circle symbol
This skin is discontinued due to a lack of reliable and good-quality sources, but it can still be found on vintage Hermès bags. Caiman is a thin skin with long, flat and rectangular scales. There are very few Caiman bags on the market today, but they are a great addition to a vintage collection.
Varanus Niloticus Lizard
Symbol: - hyphen symbol
The lizard skin used most frequently by Hermès is Niloticus, from African monitor lizards, although its use is still very rare. Its small, oval scales are tightly webbed together, giving the leather a glossy shine. Due to the size of the species, lizard skin is generally only found on trimming of collections such as the Birkin Club, on small leather goods and on some small bags. This skin is very delicate and dries out easily, so must be carefully cared for.
Varanus Salvator Lizard (commonly known as Natural or Ombre Lizard)
Symbol on Hermès stamp: = double hyphen symbol
The salvator lizard is a monitor lizard from Southeast Asia. Its rarity adds to its value, and Hermès processes it as little as possible to maintain its natural texture and beauty. The scales of the salvator lizard are more hexagonal than that of the Niloticus Lizard. This exotic skin is often used on ombre pieces, showing the natural pattern of the skin. Ombre Lizard Birkin and Kelly bags are the rarest examples, and are considered the Himalaya of Lizard skin. Lizard skin is delicate. It dries out easily and should never be exposed to water.
Ostrich
Symbol on Hermès stamp: none
There’s no mistaking ostrich for any other skin (except perhaps emu, which Hermès no longer produces), so you won’t find a symbol next to your Hermès stamp for this one. The polka-dot pores across the leather, which are feather follicles, are the giveaway here. The more feather follicles there are, the more valuable the skin. The ostriches are Struthio Camelus, known as common ostriches, which are farmed in South Africa. Ostrich skin changes color with skin contact and light exposure. Embrace the changes and enjoy seeing your bag mature over time.
How To Get A CITES Certificate
When buying an exotic skin bag or traveling internationally with it, you may need a CITES Certificate (The Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.) Check when purchasing that you have the paperwork you need or avoid traveling with or shipping your exotic skin bag. You will need to present this certificate at customs to prove that your bag is not made from an endangered species or the bag may be confiscated. Be aware that these certificates expire after three months, so you may need to renew yours before travel. A CITES Certificate may be needed for Crocodile, Alligator and Lizard skins, but is not necessary for ostrich skin.
