Antelope

Antelope Skin Manufacture

Antelope leather was first manufactured in around 1709. It is referred to as ‘Chamois’ as this is what the Antelope it comes from is often called. This leather is usually produced form the European Antelope and was used exclusively in the glove making business in Southwest France.

Antelope skin is very supple and is usually light brown or grey in colour. The hair on the skin tends to rub off easily. To create Antelope hide, the skin is removed from the animal. First all the remaining flesh and fat must be removed.  It is then soaked in a solution to remove all the bacteria. The next stage of the process is referred to as tanning. This must be done as soon as possible to stop the skin from decomposing.

When leather was first manufactured commercially the tanning process was made using the chemical ‘Tannin’ which is found in plant matter such as tree bark. Nowadays however a process called aldehyde tanning is used. Originally this was done using the chemical Formaldehyde, but is now done with either glutaraldehyde or oxazolidine because of the dangers to the workers that formaldehyde causes. Antelope leather is a creamy colour because of the way that it is manufactured.

Properties of Antelope

• Skin is supple
• Hair is stiff and flat
• Durable
• Inexpensive
• Attractive
• Porous
• Non-abrasive
• Good absorption properties
• Long lasting
• Versatile
• Rare
• Velvety texture and sheen

Uses of Antelope in Fashion Past and Present

• Leather Jackets
• Moccasins
• Bags
• Purses
• Shoes