The Cites certificate and it´s connection to Bespoke shoes?

[RIDER]

Mr Myhre,

Beautiful shoes! Everything I have seen you post has appeared just outstanding....congradulations!

On another note, at the last MICAM, an agency asked us about using elephant, so it would seem that some government agency has started to control this. IF I remember correctly, they said that only a few were available per year for the hides...am I remembering Zimbabwe as the source? Also, how was it to work? More like shark or a softer hand? This sample uses a different part than I have seen before....our belt guy had some samples of a softer, smoother hide with a little striping through it.....

Anyway, enjoy your trip to NYC....best of luck!

Ron

 

[swoobie]

Savanna elephants have made a significant comeback since the 70's and are now plentiful in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, etc. In fact in many park areas the elephants have become overpopulated and threaten the ecosystems because of the huge amounts of forage required and the elephants penchant for destroying trees.

 

[J.P. Myhre]

Dear Gentlemen,
Thank you for your support! I am learning a lot from you guys, I like that. I understand there i possible to do more research in this field. I will discuss the details with my agents and get back to the subject.
About the particular leather; It is full grain piece from an elephants ear, quite soft - so it is supported with a thin layer of pig-skin and secured with stitching in right places. The leather skives and sews well and definitly fine to work with, no problem at all.

 

[GQgeek]

I can't help but ask, but given the rarity of the skin, how much does a pair of those shoes cost?

 

[norcaltransplant]

If the hides really do come from Zimbabwe, I would question the degree of "healthy" regulation involved in the harvesting of the animals. For a country with an 80% unemployment rate and sketchy leadership, I would have greater faith in the product if it was "raised" in Botswana or Namibia.

Back on topic: JP even though the elephant leathers received a CITES certificate, does this allow entry into the US? I've heard that exotic skin watch straps, especially those from alligator or crocodile, cannot be sent to certain countries or even states within the US (California included).

 

[J.P. Myhre]

Dear Gentlemen,
I am not an expert on these things, but the Cites organization is pretty much world wide. When I go onto their website I find that there are only a few countries in Africa, a few in the middle east, one in eastern europe who has not made a ratification, or becomed a member of the organization. Please, read for yourself at; http://www.cites.org/ , or more specific about the members at; http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/parties/index.shtml . As far as I am concerned United States is a full member and belongs to region 5 on the Globe. Another thing that passed my mind; US is a very large producer themselves of exotic leathers. The only reason I can see for baning US from importing this kind of leather would have to prevent competition (foreign business), or potential diseases. Since I just said that, I am now thinking of the sketch with Monty Python and the "Dead Parrot", humming..., anyone following? Please, advice anyone?

 

[Will]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

I suspect these elephant hides are harvested from already dead elephants.

The elephant would probably object if it wasn't dead yet.

 

[acidboy]

Just don't wear them if you're going to the zoo.

Jan, Do you have other works made with exotic materials?

 

[J.P. Myhre]

Originally Posted by acidicboy

Do you have other works made with exotic materials?

acidicboy,
I believe you find a couple of samples with freshwater alligator (alligator missisipines) on my website, casual black, buckled monk shoe, ankle boot, ostrich high boot for woman, and other styles with croco as accessorie to Calf.

 

[trogdor]

Originally Posted by acidicboy

Just don't wear them if you're going to the zoo.

Reminds me of this old joke:

While on holiday in Kenya and walking through the bush a man comes across an elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seems distressed so the man approaches very carefully. He gets down on one knee and inspects the bottom of the elephant's foot only to find a large thorn deeply embedded. As carefully and as gently as he can he removes the thorn and the elephant gingerly puts its foot down. The elephant turns to face the man and with a rather stern look on its face, stares at him. For a good ten minutes the man stands frozen - thinking of nothing else but being trampled.

Eventually the elephant turns and walks away.

For years after, the man often remembers and ponders the events of that day. Years later the man is walking through the zoo with his son. As they approach the elephant enclosure, one of the elephants turns and walks over to where they are standing at the rail. It stares at him and the man can't help wondering if this is the same elephant. The man climbs tentatively over the railing and makes his way into the enclosure. He walks right up to the elephant and stares back in wonder. Suddenly the elephant wraps its trunk around one of the man's legs and swings him wildly back and forth along the railing, instantly killing him.

Probably not the same elephant then.

 

[Baron]

I was told recently that the governments of South Africa and other countries cull the elephant population each year because they've become plentiful enough that unchecked population growth would literally deforest the entire continent.

 

[J.P. Myhre]

Baron,
Thank you, that information put this issue into a definite perspective!

 

[jcusey]

Originally Posted by Baron

I was told recently that the governments of South Africa and other countries cull the elephant population each year because they've become plentiful enough that unchecked population growth would literally deforest the entire continent.

Yes, this is my understanding as well (both that most elephant hide commercially available is from culls and that the herds have to be culled because elephant overpopulation is not a pretty thing). At least, that was what I was told when I ordered my elephant boots.

 

[rnoldh]

Originally Posted by Will

The elephant would probably object if it wasn't dead yet.

Good material for your Blog

 

[Lucky Strike]

Wonderful shoes, JP: Wouldn't one want an ivory shoe horn for those?:

(I thrifted this some time ago; it needs to be cut down half an inch or so, because of chips and cracks at the (very thin) edge. Drew & Sons, London ca. 1920.