Once the pinnacle of luxury, real fur, pushed mainly by PETA, fell from grace in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Everyone from Gucci and Prada to the entire Kering portfolio vowed to go fur-free. Still, even though it’s become somewhat of a taboo, fur (real or faux) had a major resurgence on the Le Teckel shoulder bag.
While luxury is primarily split down the middle when it comes to the use of fur, when it comes to exotic skins, most designer brands seem to agree—skin is in. And in the 2020s, it’s more popular than ever. From Hermès and Louis Vuitton to Celine, Prada, and more, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to the ultra rare.
When Brands Say No: The Exotic Skins Ban
So why nix fur but keep exotic skins? For starters, exotics have never been widely shunned or looked down upon by handbag lovers and collectors. In fact, Fall 2025 runways in the handbag world.
Still, that didn’t stop Chanel from implementing an exotic skins ban in 2018—a move that surprised both handbag enthusiasts and fashion insiders alike. In 2022, Burberry too, banned exotic skins from their collections, implementing an exotic skins ban in 2018.
The long and short of it all? Most customers have strong opinions on fur, but fall somewhere in the middle where exotic skins are concerned.
Many want to know that their skins are ethically sourced but don’t see a problem with buying or wearing them. One insightful commentor went on to explain how using American alligator skins is actually good for the environment and our ecosystems.
Mostly recently, Marc Jacobs banished exotics from his collections (though it’s worth noting he was never known for them) and London Fashion Week banned the use of exotic skins from the runways (Copenhagen and Australia’s Fashion Weeks have done the same).
The Ethics and Sustainability Debate
spawning this article and healthy discussion in the comments, in the handbag world Best Friends Forever Charm.
Animal rights activists continue argue that the use of exotics is unecessary and unethical, albeit, proven to be better for the enviornment—leaving many brands in a lose lose situation, feeling the pressure to join the ban for good PR.
Unlike fashion’s movement towards a fur-free industry, when it comes to exotics, the progress in the last three years since we covered this topic has been slim, and it’s unlikely that exotics will ever see as wide of a ban as fur has.
My Take: Where I Stand on Fur vs. Exotics
Personally, my opinion of exotics falls somewhere in the middle as well—I wear leather, so swearing off an exotic skin doesn’t seem to make a lof of sense. I don’t own any, but it’s not for lack of want; Sep 3, 2025 would add a pop to my rotation, but price is of course, a concern for me.
As for fur, I wouldn’t buy real fur that’s new, but I have no issue wearing my grandmother’s vintage mink. Still, I’d take no issue with someone who would buy real fur off the rack.
What do you think? Are exotics as essential part of your handbag rotation or have you sworn them off?
Personally, I would rather wear fur or exotic skins than “vegan leather,” which is mostly petroleum-derived products (aka plastics)—and will just contribute to long-term pollution.
Side note and my opinion: there are much more pressing problems in our world than fur and exotic skins. I understand people feel passionate about animal welfare, but please put that same energy to end warcrimes against children all over the world (etc.).
So glad for your comment. The fact is that those products don’t break down in nature at all!
The same people who threw themselves on the anti-fur wave are the same people that advertised the wear of fake fur in stead. Most often made out of petroleum products which again ruin the habitat of wildlife.
I live in a cold climate during winter where fur was the most natural thing to wear, if you could afford it. To me fur was investments as I knew they would last the rest of my life if taken care of properly.
I have not been able to wear fur in a decade or so because the anti-fur movement became violent and innocent people were attacked if they wore fur in my country and the whole fur industry was put down.
I’m glad to see fur is slowly implemented here and there again. It’s such a useful material with a long history that makes a lot of sense.
Jonathan Anderson Brings His Modern, Experimental Vision to Dior for Spring 2026.
For me personally, if I am willing to eat it, I will wear it. Waste not want not.
You can like or dislike fur, but I don’t think anything else that I own will have a lifespan and 100% usability like that.
Everyone ought to do their utmost in the causes closest to their hearts, but I guarantee children are not suffering due to the public’s overwhelming concern for snakes. They are suffering because most people care about *neither.*
Shallow Obsessing Strongly Encouraged. Since 2005.
What’s happening to the children and civilians in war torn countries breaks my heart
Jonathan Anderson Brings His Modern, Experimental Vision to Dior for Spring 2026.
Exotics should not be equated with leather. Leather/skin is far less valuable than the meat, and is therefore salvaged as waste from the food industry, unlike exotics where the skin is primarily what is sought after. Lizard and snakeskin are obtained through inhumane practices that I won’t repeat here, and as an aside, snakeskin is impractical as the scales lift. I won’t purchase new exotics because of the inhumane practices in obtaining them.
Not all leather used in fashion items is a byproduct of the food industry, so some of it is cows, lambs, goats, deer, etc being bred and abused just for their skins like the exotic animals you’ve mentioned. Calves, even babies taken out of the womb, can be used. I’ve come to the conclusion that only vintage leather and plant-based faux leathers are somewhat ethical.
Meat is still worth far more than the skins, so even if the skin is a utilized part, things like veal and lamb meat will be the more monetarily valuable asset.
It might be because “skins” are usually from reptiles (and people really don’t like reptiles very much at all).
I agree with this, especially as someone that keeps and breeds reptiles. I love reptiles, but people have more feelings when it comes to cute, furry animals, unfortunately, and PETA really doesn’t truly care about animal welfare… they have other reasons for what they do. They definitely go after reptiles in other ways, but it’s not as visible to the public if you’re not invested in keeping reptiles or what’s going on in the reptile trade, I think because the public cares more about animals like cats and dogs than they do about snakes. Personally, I can’t buy exotics because it would be like wearing the skin of my friend, even though I’m fully aware that’s hypocritical of me as I’m happy to wear cow leather. However, since cow leathers and others like it are byproducts of the meat industry, I do feel less bad about it.
I usually equate skins to crocodiles, alligators and ostriches, but not as much to reptiles. However, I don’t like reptiles, but only because the scales lift.
Alligators and crocodiles are reptiles…
Yes, of course! It’s too early, I need more coffee!! 😂
I think part of the discrepancy in society not going after exotics as much as fur is also based on attainability. Most people will not be able to afford real exotic pieces or accessories whereas getting something fur/leather is easier and more accessible. So for most people animal cruelty in regards to exotics is out of sight out of mind. “Why care about an issue if it doesn’t affect your life” is an attitude lots of people have unfortunately.
Anon is also right in that most animals used for fur benefit from being seen as cute, cuddly, and anthropomorphized vs. reptiles that most people see as cold and unfeeling
The word exotics is overused. Truth is there’s nothing exotic or rare about croc, alligator, lizard or snake skins. The luxury market has played that exotic label purely for financial gain.
The term “exotic” is a leftover from European fashion that denoted these skins as “exotic” because they were imported from colonies and could not be found in Europe. Thus, they were “exotic” to European customers. Not many alligators, snakes, and panthers roaming the jardin des Tuileries.
Exotic is the proper term for such animals, as they are not domesticated animals/haven’t gone through the process of human domestication like livestock and common pets. It’s consistent with uses like “exotic pets” and “exotics veterinarian”. However, I get what you mean about inflating the sound of their rarity.
I guess this is a question only each of us can answer personally. Frankly, I think I have outgrown the luxury handbag market (for me). How many handbags can one own? I now find myself reaching for a “non designer” bag, I feel safer and don’t worry over if something happens to the bag. Plus the expense of a new designer bag is crazy…! I have other priorities of where I want to spend my dollars.
The one exotic I really have issues with is the gallucia…made from stingray. Where we live there is an ocean cove which is home to anywhere between three and seven stingrays. People swim amongst them either unknowingly or knowingly, and the stingrays accept the humans and there are no problems with the shared space. They are beautiful, popular, graceful creatures and it upsets me that this species is hunted and killed to make handbags.
I personal love exotics. I have at least 6 python handbags in my collection. my first luxury was a runway Gucci. I have no issues wearing fur whether it be real or faux. I happen to have a few faux scarfs and they look good on me. I worn to wear fur…lol. I have my mother in laws mink coat.
I feel absolutely no amount of guilty for buying products made from skins of invasive species, like the pythons that are destroying the Everglades. I wish it was easier to source and/or find better, more beautiful products using that supply chain of skins, because I think exotics are beautiful and I’d rather not waste the skins of animals that are being killed regardless to specifically benefit the environment.
There are, you just have to search for companies that use those skins. Nancy Gonzalez makes beautiful bags that are a fraction of the cost.
I agree it makes little sense to refuse to eat meat but still wear leather, exotics, or fur, or vice versa. I’m next door to a vegan (not perfect, probably will never be, though I try) so my preference is for fabric, esp canvas and cotton velvet.
Ditto…I became vegan last year and realized this year if I’m really being true to my convictions I have to say “no” to leather products as well. It’s a bit hard, especially when it comes to shoes. But there is always preloved and many new plant-based “leathers” coming on the market.
I own exotics from the past and present and I agree with the comment about vegan leather being harder on the planet. It takes a many years to decay, leather is both recyclable and durable and has a long life span. I believe that it is a personal choice and for many the price of exotics is out of reach. I think that in areas that most exotics are available or harvested there are so many other problems such as child labour and poverty maybe these problems should be addressed first.
There’s no need to go for vegan leather if you don’t want to. The choice is between leather and exotics, and it’s an easy one. Most bags available in exotics are also available in leather. Nobody needs exotics.