Idiom Vineyards, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Somerset West   |   021 858 1088 

IDIOM LEATHER COLLECTION

The Idiom Collection presents a selection of handcrafted luxury products that are beautifully made from sustainably sourced, exotic and rare leathers. Crocodile, ostrich quill, lizard and other exotic skins, alongside the softest of calfskin & buffalo, complete a collection of the finest quality leather accessories. Careful selection, sophisticated styling and hand stitching result in a range that is elegant, durable and timeless. To enquire about the Idiom leather range, please email info@bottegafamilywine.co.za 

AUTHENTIC LUXURY

Detailed attention is placed on the functionality of the range that is manufactured to global standards of luxury artisan excellence. The leather is obtained from manufacturers working with tanneries adhering to the regulations of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species. Natural hide is also celebrated. A limited edition of blesbok and springbok pieces complement the more traditional exotics. These gazelle are endemic to Southern Africa and live free range, thereby naturally have an element of the unexpected, a true sign of authentic luxury.

EXOTIC AND UNIQUE

Different to a regular hide, each exotic skin offers a distinctive pattern which is iconic and distinctively yours – no two pieces are ever alike. Classic toned exteriors give way to an eccentric, contemporary shot of colour in the linings. The vibrant interior tones offset the refined exterior colour palette which offers universality of wear for any occasion.

NOTES FROM
SILVANA BOTTEGA

The Idiom Collection is committed to uncovering excellence in manufacturing partners, and selecting the best local tanneries and sustainable solutions across the supply chain. Passionate about Southern Africa’s rich heritage and long-standing craft traditions, Silvana Bottega is tapping into the country’s natural reserves to create something authentic and relevant. “There is a growing appreciation for the finer things in life in Africa and with that is a heightened understanding of history, provenance and authentic excellence.”

Silvana Bottega has fundamental belief in collaboration and development of artisans in SA and on the African continent. These partners are renowned for excellence in their field in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, and the suppliers are master craftsmen who have years of experience in exotic skins, understanding the nuances of the rare and expensive leather.

TAKE CARE

As with most natural products, exotic skins require dedicated care in order to preserve their inherent beauty.
We recommend the following care guidelines:

1.

Keep your product away from direct heat sources and excessive humidity, when not in use store in the pouch provided and in a well-ventilated area.

2.

Store your leather piece with care. Colour can fade in sunlight, particularly light colours which can turn slightly yellow or even darken.

3.

Keep your piece of the Idiom Collection leather away from any other materials that may bleed colour, such as magazines and other leathers.

4.

Clean your product with a soft cloth, anything abrasive will leave marks. Avoid contact with oily products e.g. hand cream, sanitizer, make-up & perfume.

DESIGN ETHOS

Simplicity and understated excellence echo classic lines, ensuring each piece from the Idiom Collection is a wardrobe keeper enduring
seasons and fickle fashion fads.
HIDDEN TOP - DO NOT REMOVE

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Ostrich
Ostrich skin was first used in fashion accessories in the 1970s, with a peak for demand taking place in the 1980s. Known for it’s unique qualities and generous improvement with age, each skin has a varying pattern of vacant quill marks which give it’s distinctive bump-like appearance. This follicle pattern only appears on the ‘crown’ of the skin, or base of the neck, meaning only a third of the actual skin has these distinctive marks and can be used in accessories.
Ostrich shin
Ostrich shin is taken from the leg of the ostrich and is a much smaller skin, meaning more skins are needed per product and it’s technically harder to work with. The skin also has an extra luxe sheen to it, and a more reptilian-like quality with the pattern resembling that of an alligator.
Crocodile Belly
The softest and most luxurious part of the crocodile, the belly is particularly susceptible to scratches and cuts from other crocs and natural elements. Identifiable by the small dot (the vacant follicle of the croc’s sensory hair) inside each scale, the belly hide is soft and pliable and known for it’s shiny scale like appearance.
Hornback
Harder than the belly skin, the hornback or back skin of a crocodile is exceptionally durable and used predominately for accents on accessories.
Blesbok Suede
Endemic to South Africa, the blesbok is an antelope with an arresting white face framed with a dark brown stripe. A hardy skin that has the softness of nappa leather, blesbok hide is a by-product of the hunting and meat industries and as such is an entirely wild, authentic product. A result of this is natural markings that occur to the animal in it’s untamed habitat.
Springbok
South Africa’s national emblem, the springbok is a small brown and white gazelle that inhabits the natural plains and grasslands of Southern Africa. The fur is very soft and distinctive with a band running from the nape of the neck through it’s back. Although expertly treated (and in some cases dyed black), a light shedding is to be expected.