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LONDON - Style never stands still, and this season the super-rich have a new fixation: snakeskin.
Whether on Jimmy Choo shoes or Zagliani bags, scales are adorning autumn's finest accessories, and London department stores have stocked up with record quantities of snakeskin for autumn.
They are taking their inspiration from the stars of the screen and the catwalk. For where the likes of fashion luminaries Jennifer Lopez and Eva Longoria lead, mere mortals clamour to follow.
J-Lo's passion was a metallic python number by Zagliani, an Italian company that injects its skins with Botox for that ultra-soft feel, while Longoria, star of Desperate Housewives, prefers an exotic python tote by Prada.
Harvey Nichols expects its Zagliani bags to be much in demand despite a £1280 ($3400) price tag.
It has also added new names renowned for their use of snakeskin, such as Devi Kroell.
Animal campaigners are outraged that exotic skins are making a comeback.
Reptile experts warn that fashion houses are threatening the future of many species.
Clifford Warwick, of the Animal Protection Agency, said snakes caught in the wild were nailed to a tree and skinned alive, taking days to die.
- INDEPENDENT
