World's first trout skin espadrilles

Thousands of tons of fish skin are disposed of every year because very few people can bear the distinct foul smell the scales leave behind. This, however, did not discourage France-based shoe manufacturer Don Quichosse from finding a fashionable use for these skins.

Recently, the footwear specialist unveiled the world's first espadrilles made of tanned trout skin.

According to managing director Jean-Jacques Houyou, the company sources salmon trout from the cold mountain streams of the renowned Banca valley at the foothills of the Pyrenees in the French Basque country. He claims that trout skins from the region are particularly beautiful. In fact, these come from the Goicoechea family's fish farm, whose trout are prized by gourmets.

In an interview with Agence France-Presse, Houyou said that making the espadrilles was an "extremely exacting process. The most difficult thing is to find two skins with the same marks, which makes each pair so original."

Ten shoemakers are tasked by the company to create the shoes, which are manually fabricated. Each maker turns out about 20,000 pairs annually.

The espadrilles come with goatskin lining and traditionally have jute soles. Some new models, however, use cork instead. The footwear is available in seven colors and two heel heights. A pair is priced at 120 euros or about $135 and set to go for retail in France this summer.

View a comparison table of espadrille suppliers on GlobalSources.com