Credit: Loro Piana
You may have already seen it in the latest collections of luxury brands, from Loro Piana's Ghiera Mini bag to Valentino's Vain. With the return of exotic leathers to the catwalks, tejus, a prized variety of lizard (Tupinambis merianae), is becoming increasingly popular in high-end leather goods. Its refined texture and extraordinary versatility make it an increasingly sought-after material poised to become the industry's new must-have.
Its small, regular scales create an elegant and discreet pattern, ideal for wallets, watch straps, and mini-bags, a fast-growing segment. In addition to its aesthetics, tejus leather offers lightness and strength: at about one millimeter thick, it is easy to work with yet durable and little subject to wear and tear. The result is a material that is sophisticated, practical, and increasingly popular with major luxury brands.
Its semi-gloss surface is enhanced by tanning and dyeing processes designed to enhance its color and durability. However, tejus requires careful maintenance: it must be kept dry and clean with specific products for exotic leathers, paying special care to the scales to preserve its beauty over time.
Ethical sourcing is a growing priority in the industry. This is why responsible tanneries comply with CITES regulations, ensuring traceability of the leather and sustainability of the species. At the same time, new processing techniques aim to reduce environmental impact by minimizing waste and adopting increasingly sustainable tanning methods.
