Leather Library
A glossy, pinstriped exotic that isn't actually from an eel at all.
"Eel skin" is a trade name, not a literal description — the leather actually comes from the Pacific hagfish, a long, eel-like sea creature, mostly harvested in Korea where it's also eaten as food. The leather is a byproduct of that food trade rather than a dedicated harvest, which is part of why it's considered a reasonably sustainable exotic. Individual hagfish skins are narrow, so finished pieces are stitched together from several skins, leaving a subtle vertical pinstripe where the panels join — one of the material's signature identifying features, along with its glossy sheen and silk-like, supple feel. Despite how delicate it looks, eel skin is estimated at about 1.5 times the strength of cowhide at the same thickness.
Overlay panels or accent trim more than a full upper, where that distinctive pinstripe pattern and glossy finish read as a deliberate exotic touch rather than blending in.
Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth and apply a silicone-based conditioner every six months to a year. Blot away any moisture immediately and let it air dry away from heat, and store in a breathable fabric bag rather than plastic.