Page 33 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition July-August 2021

Each case is made to order in France, a country noted for
its handmade craftsmanship of a very high standard. All the
materials used – alligator, shagreen, iguana, python – are sourced
from the most prestigious leather farms in the world, and strictly
adhere to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES) standard of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Making the product involves multiple processes and stages,
from the meticulous handmade cut of the skin to the leather
crafts yarn that ensures resistance and solidity. The case’s linings
mould the lines and curves of the case which is then manually
polished and tinted. While the leather craft yarn colour is selected
to match with that of the case, it can be modified on request.

Every small detail is put together with enviable precision, from
the feel of the leather, the colours, shapes, structure and lining.
There’s a choice of two shapes and three sizes. In addition to the
three dimensions (160 x 70 mm, 165 x 80 mm, 170 x 85 mm) to
cater to the widest range of glasses, the size of the case can also
be custom-made. The company also offers specific co-branding
so the cases can be marked with one’s name.
The skins used are transformed at the best French and Italian
tanneries to meet the finest requirements of the high leather
goods industry. Crocodile has always ranked high for its beauty
and texture. The skins of the Nile crocodile (crocodylus niloticus)
and the saltwater crocodile (crocodylus porosus), the most
popular in leathercraft, are used at EMK.
The granulated, richly textured surface of shagreen (sharkskin
or in this case ray skin) is beautiful to look at but difficult to shape.
When skilfully handled, the final look whether full grain, sanded
or polished, has a steady following among connoisseurs.
The striking aesthetics of python skin come from its huge
patterns and wide range of rich colour combinations that are each
unique, each distinctly different from the other. The Java iguana
has a dark appearance and small scales that are flexible and soft
to the touch. The patterns are quite subtle and depending on the
colour chosen, can look slightly black and iridescent. Emmanuelle
Kirsch has a palette of up to 20 colours in iguana leather.

The crocodile cases are in countless stunning shades of
orange, rouge, maroon, brown, rose, blue, turquoise, white, beige,
yellow, mauve, grey, green, khaki, gold and black. In shagreen too
there are many of these colour options as well as mint, petroleum,
camel and pink.

In the python ones, over 30 exotic combinations range from
dune rust to multicolour kaleidoscopes, from riots of grey and
black to muted violets. The customised lining for the cases is of
velvet leather that too comes in many delightful tones. Specials
skins and tints too can be made on request orders.

29 | EMMANUELLE KIRSCH