Not many people know that fish have skin in addition to scales. It is used to make various things, including clothing. The raw materials are very unusual, so it is worth understanding in more detail all the intricacies of the original material.
A little history about fish skin
Such raw materials were especially popular among the indigenous inhabitants of the Amur region.. Fish skin was used to create kids shirts, which served as additional amulets for children. People believed that such an item was endowed with special protective properties. Also made from fish skin they made shaman costumes, shoes and special amulets.
Dressing fish skin used to take a lot of time and was labor-intensive. It all started with removing the scales. Then careful cleaning and rinsing was required. Then it was necessary to dry the skin. At this moment she hardened, became tougher. Using a special machine and bone knives, the raw materials were crushed. This made it possible to obtain material suitable for making clothing.
Nowadays, this method of processing raw materials is no longer used.
Benefits of fish skin
This material is one of the most valuable. It is used in many fields, from cooking to clothing. Previously, fish was part of waste-free production. It was used almost completely, including its scales. Among the advantages of raw materials it is worth noting:
- Lightness and strength.
- Allows protection from rain and wind, does not get wet.
- Retains heat well.
- Good wear resistance due to the close arrangement of the material fibers.
- Safety. The raw material can even be used for children's clothing. Its processing is quite safe for the environment.
What kind of fish do they use?
Each type of fish has certain characteristics, based on which it can be used for a specific type of clothing. Among the most popular:
- Burbot. Its skin is durable, capable of withstanding a weight of several pounds. That’s why it is used for sewing shopping bags.
- Sturgeon breeds. Suitable for shoes or tires used to cover cargo.
- Pike. Great for making shoes.
- Shark. The material is durable, light and elastic. The durability characteristics are several times better than buffalo leather. The material was once used to make pilot jackets.
Reference! Before processing, the thickness of shark skin can be about 10 cm. After dressing, it is brought to the desired thickness, but this does not reduce its strength.
- Scat. It's rare to get your hands on this material. It has excellent strength, but is difficult to process. Well suited for sewing outerwear, does not absorb moisture and practically does not get dirty.
What was made from fish skin before?
Previously, raw materials were used to sew various things. The safety of the material, as mentioned above, made it possible to sew clothes even for children.They made various things, including costumes for shamans, and outerwear was trimmed with fish skin. Thanks to its strength, it was possible to create good shoes. The raw materials were also used to create various accessories (for example, covers for knives) and other household items.
Modern fish skin products
Recently, this raw material has been gaining popularity. It is just as exclusive like reptile skin. World-famous designers managed to pay attention to the material and introduce it into their collections.
John Galliano created pink salmon leather shoes that filled Dior boutiques around the world. This material is the most durable, which is why the Scottish company Skini liked it. They launched the production of bikinis from these raw materials.
Also, designers from one of the companies in Argentina developed and produced sneakers made from leather of the herring family.
A special feature of fish skin is the small size of the pieces of material, so it is often used for small things - gloves, belts, bags, wallets and jewelry.
The unique pattern and color scheme make the raw material popular. An additional advantage is its durability.
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