Designer Jason Stalvey of New York-based house STALVEY has launched a 24kt gold crocodile handbag collection at ModaOperandi.com.
STALVEY is the first brand in history to embed 24kt gold into exotic skins, a process that took over two years to develop and is exclusive to the brand. The process was developed as a partnership with the world's leading aeronautic technology laboratory, along with the premiere luxury tannery in France.
Pure 24kt gold is heated to extreme temperatures in excess of 1000 °C when the gold transforms from a solid to a liquid state, causing the particles to turn into a gas. The atoms of gas are then stretched via a vacuum process creating a thin layer which is then embedded into the Porosus crocodile skin, particle by particle. When the gas cools, the particles revert back to a solid state, resulting in a uniform, lustrous, and supple skin rendered in a soft shade of gold.
This painstaking process utilizes a high enough gold content to be certified as a 24kt gold article, a process typically reserved for classifying gold jewelry. Each bag bears a stamp and comes with a letter of authenticity.
ABOUT THE HANDBAGS The bags in the collection comprise the Top Handle styles in mini and small (20 cm & 25 cm top handle satchel with architectural envelope front), and the Shoulder Bag (25 cm and 30 cm envelope with chain strap). Each bag features custom handcrafted brass hardware plated in 24kt gold.
Prices range from $35,000 - $100,000.