267
According to Craig et al. ( 1987 ) it has been verifi ed in the skins of some species the
distribution of collagen fi bers in accordance with their size. The parameters that
indicate the traction (load of force, tension of traction and elasticity) can be correlated with the amount and orientation of collagen fi bers. The dermis thickness is
mainly determined by the collagen fi bers’ ratio in the skin (Fujikura et al. 1988 ).
For the transformation of the skin into leather, an unputrefi able product, it is
necessary to tan it. In this way, the fi brous nature is kept after being previously
separated, for the removal of the interfi brillar material makes it easy for chemical
products to act. After this preparation of the skin, they are treated with tanning
substances, which transform them into leathers or processed skins (tanned), preserved from autolitic processes or microbial attacks (Hoinacki 1989 ). Thus, the skin
is transformed into an unputrefi able material with characteristic softness, elasticity,
fl exibility, and traction resistance. In sum, it has specifi c physical-mechanical qualities due to the tanning process. During the tanning process, the skin goes under
modifi cations due to the use of chemical products that react with the collagen fi bers,
giving the leather a greater resistance associated to the disposal and orientation of
collagen fi bers (Price 2005 ).
The skins from fi sh are now considered the principal residual by-product of the
aquaculture business. As reported by Price ( 2005 ), several renowned designers are
now marketing corresponding lines of a pink salmon shoes, for example Christian
Dior (U$ 800), or, John Galliano (U$ 800). Stingray clutch for U$ 1,180 and a small
evening stingray purse for U$ 1,620 were proposed by Bottega Veneta and Givenchy,
respectively. Also, wide selection of fi sh-skin wallets, boots, and other products are
producing in the USA by the companies like Upscale Leather, and Ocean Leather.
The haute couture fashion has embraced fi sh skin leather because of not only its
novelty; but also praises for its softness, strength, and versatility. Part of the reason
for not using fi sh leather has been that up until recently few tanneries had managed
to get rid of the “fi sh” smell completely. With modern tanning procedures, this is no
longer an issue. It is established that the fi sh skins are as strong as crocodile leather
and have the durability and strength of a manmade material (Price 2005 ).
The high-end market also aligns itself with the current politically correct marketing strategy as “ environmentally friendly alternative exotic leather ” because they
use an otherwise wasted product. The fi sh leather market trend is a spin-off from the
dramatic increase in fi sh farming around the world of Atlantic salmon (marine fi sh
source) and Tilapia (fresh-water fi sh source).
The national study concerning the ecological use of natural materials stimulated
approaches to use salmon skin leather for clothes. Finally, designer Claudia Escobar
(SKINI London) represented a line of perfectly crafted bikinis made entirely of
salmon skin. Price level – $US355 and more (Price 2005 ).
From a biological materials point of view, the methods of fi sh skin preparation,
fi nishing and tanning are still of interest. I take the liberty to recommend for reading
the texts of some patents, which have been published since the beginning of the
twentieth century. Thus, Allen ( 1920 ) patented a method for the preparation of
shark-skins and the like for tanning. Knudsen ( 1923 ) and Adrien ( 1929 ) patented the
process for tanning fi sh skins and the process for the treatment of skins of animals
6.1 Fish Skin Clothing and Leather
According to Craig et al. ( 1987 ) it has been verifi ed in the skins of some species the
distribution of collagen fi bers in accordance with their size. The parameters that
indicate the traction (load of force, tension of traction and elasticity) can be correlated with the amount and orientation of collagen fi bers. The dermis thickness is
mainly determined by the collagen fi bers’ ratio in the skin (Fujikura et al. 1988 ).
For the transformation of the skin into leather, an unputrefi able product, it is
necessary to tan it. In this way, the fi brous nature is kept after being previously
separated, for the removal of the interfi brillar material makes it easy for chemical
products to act. After this preparation of the skin, they are treated with tanning
substances, which transform them into leathers or processed skins (tanned), preserved from autolitic processes or microbial attacks (Hoinacki 1989 ). Thus, the skin
is transformed into an unputrefi able material with characteristic softness, elasticity,
fl exibility, and traction resistance. In sum, it has specifi c physical-mechanical qualities due to the tanning process. During the tanning process, the skin goes under
modifi cations due to the use of chemical products that react with the collagen fi bers,
giving the leather a greater resistance associated to the disposal and orientation of
collagen fi bers (Price 2005 ).
The skins from fi sh are now considered the principal residual by-product of the
aquaculture business. As reported by Price ( 2005 ), several renowned designers are
now marketing corresponding lines of a pink salmon shoes, for example Christian
Dior (U$ 800), or, John Galliano (U$ 800). Stingray clutch for U$ 1,180 and a small
evening stingray purse for U$ 1,620 were proposed by Bottega Veneta and Givenchy,
respectively. Also, wide selection of fi sh-skin wallets, boots, and other products are
producing in the USA by the companies like Upscale Leather, and Ocean Leather.
The haute couture fashion has embraced fi sh skin leather because of not only its
novelty; but also praises for its softness, strength, and versatility. Part of the reason
for not using fi sh leather has been that up until recently few tanneries had managed
to get rid of the “fi sh” smell completely. With modern tanning procedures, this is no
longer an issue. It is established that the fi sh skins are as strong as crocodile leather
and have the durability and strength of a manmade material (Price 2005 ).
The high-end market also aligns itself with the current politically correct marketing strategy as “ environmentally friendly alternative exotic leather ” because they
use an otherwise wasted product. The fi sh leather market trend is a spin-off from the
dramatic increase in fi sh farming around the world of Atlantic salmon (marine fi sh
source) and Tilapia (fresh-water fi sh source).
The national study concerning the ecological use of natural materials stimulated
approaches to use salmon skin leather for clothes. Finally, designer Claudia Escobar
(SKINI London) represented a line of perfectly crafted bikinis made entirely of
salmon skin. Price level – $US355 and more (Price 2005 ).
From a biological materials point of view, the methods of fi sh skin preparation,
fi nishing and tanning are still of interest. I take the liberty to recommend for reading
the texts of some patents, which have been published since the beginning of the
twentieth century. Thus, Allen ( 1920 ) patented a method for the preparation of
shark-skins and the like for tanning. Knudsen ( 1923 ) and Adrien ( 1929 ) patented the
process for tanning fi sh skins and the process for the treatment of skins of animals
6.1 Fish Skin Clothing and Leather