Marina De Golle

The Marina De Golle Story

Marina De Golle was born in St. Petersburg in 1984. She began designing and sewing dresses from her own sketches as a young woman, driven by an instinct for quality that led her on a search for the finest manufacturers in Europe. In 2004, she began collaborating with Italy's leading leather processing factories, and it was there that she discovered crocodile leather: a material so demanding, so expressive, and so far removed from conventional fashion materials that it became her singular obsession. By 2008, she had narrowed her focus entirely to crocodile leather goods. In 2012, she formally registered the Marina De Golle brand.

Today, the brand operates from an atelier in Milan, working with Italian craftsmen who specialise in exotic leather. Marina personally oversees every stage of production, from selecting individual skins to approving final stitching. Her library of materials and fittings contains over 4,000 samples. The brand's philosophy is simple: quality without compromise, luxury in every detail, and a relationship with crocodile leather so deep that no other material is necessary.

The Material: Porosus Crocodile

Not all crocodile leather is equal. Marina De Golle works exclusively with Porosus crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), which is widely considered the finest grade of crocodile leather available. Porosus skins are distinguished by their smaller, more uniform scale pattern, exceptional suppleness, and a natural sheen that no finishing process can replicate in lesser grades. The term "first category" refers to skins with minimal scarring, consistent scale size, and no irregularities: the top 10% to 15% of all Porosus hides processed.

These skins are sourced and processed through the same Italian and French factories that supply the world's most established luxury houses. The difference is that where most houses use exotic leather as an accent or an upgrade option on an existing design, Marina De Golle builds everything from the ground up around the material. The pattern cutting, the stitching technique, the hardware weight, and the lining construction are all engineered specifically for crocodile's unique properties: its rigidity, its tendency to crack if handled incorrectly, its sensitivity to moisture, and its extraordinary beauty when treated with the respect it demands.

The Collection

Jackets and Outerwear

The Marina De Golle jacket is the brand's signature statement. Perfecto biker jackets, bomber jackets, and structured coats crafted entirely from Porosus crocodile leather in colours that range from classic black and cognac to vivid blues, greens, and pastels that are virtually impossible to find in exotic leather from any other source. Each jacket requires multiple matched skins to ensure scale consistency across the entire garment. The hardware (zippers, buckles, snaps) is produced in Italy and coated in Palladium for a cool, silvery finish that complements the leather's natural sheen without competing with it. These are not jackets that blend in. They are jackets that announce themselves the moment you enter a room.

Bags

The croco mini bag is described by the brand as its iconic piece. Marina De Golle bags are available in virtually any colour (the brand's dye capabilities extend across the full spectrum) and feature the same Palladium hardware and Italian construction as the jackets. The bag shapes tend toward structured, architectural forms that showcase the crocodile's scale pattern rather than hiding it behind busy design elements. For collectors who already own bags from Hermès or Louis Vuitton in conventional leathers, a Marina De Golle crocodile bag adds a dimension of material luxury that even those houses rarely achieve outside their highest tier special order programmes.

Accessories and Footwear

The Marina De Golle range extends to shoes (ballet flats, sneakers, boots), phone cases, belts, wallets, and other accessories, all in Porosus crocodile. These smaller pieces serve as entry points into the brand for collectors who are intrigued by the material quality but want to start with a more accessible price point before committing to a jacket or bag.

Why Crocodile Leather Costs What It Does

Crocodile leather is the most expensive leather in the world for reasons that are structural rather than artificial. The animals are farmed in controlled environments (wild harvesting is prohibited under CITES regulations for most commercial species). Each skin takes years to reach the size required for fashion use. The tanning process for exotic skins is slower, more chemically complex, and more labour intensive than for cattle leather. And the yield per skin is low: a single Porosus hide produces far less usable material than a cowhide, because irregularities, scarring, and scale inconsistencies render portions unusable for luxury applications.

First category Porosus skins represent the top grade within an already expensive material, which is why a Marina De Golle jacket or bag is priced in the range of AED 100,000 to AED 250,000 or above. At this level, the price reflects genuine material scarcity and artisan labour rather than brand markup. Every piece in our collection includes the documentation and provenance that verify the skin's origin and grade.

Marina De Golle and Dubai

Dubai is a natural home for Marina De Golle. The city's appetite for rare materials, its culture of personal expression through luxury, and its climate (which makes lightweight leather outerwear wearable for much of the year during evenings and air conditioned settings) create ideal conditions for exotic leather goods. The UAE's 5% VAT compared to European rates of 19% to 25% also provides a cost advantage on pieces at this price level.

At Konesseur, our 16 Marina De Golle pieces represent one of the most comprehensive selections of the brand available through any retailer in the region. Every piece is authenticated and available with worldwide shipping from our boutique at Box Park on Al Wasl Road. For collectors exploring exotic leather from other houses, our Hermès collection includes exotic skin Birkin and Kelly bags, and our jackets collection features additional outerwear options across brands.

Frequently Asked Questions About Marina De Golle

Who is Marina De Golle?

Marina De Golle is a luxury fashion designer born in St. Petersburg in 1984 who founded her eponymous brand in 2012 after years of specialising in crocodile leather goods. She operates from an atelier in Milan and personally oversees every stage of production. The brand specialises exclusively in Porosus crocodile leather across jackets, bags, shoes, and accessories.

What is Porosus crocodile leather?

Porosus crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is widely considered the finest grade of crocodile leather. It is distinguished by smaller, more uniform scales, exceptional suppleness, and a natural sheen. "First category" Porosus refers to the top 10% to 15% of hides with minimal scarring and consistent scale size. Marina De Golle works exclusively with first category Porosus.

Where is Marina De Golle made?

All Marina De Golle products are handcrafted in Italy. The brand's atelier is in Milan, and production takes place in Italian workshops that specialise in exotic leather processing. The skins are sourced and tanned through leading factories in Italy and France.

Why are Marina De Golle products so expensive?

The price reflects the genuine cost of first category Porosus crocodile leather (the most expensive leather in the world), Italian artisan labour, Palladium coated hardware produced in Italy, and the fact that each piece requires multiple matched skins for scale consistency. A single jacket may use several complete hides. The pricing is driven by material scarcity and craft rather than brand markup.

What hardware does Marina De Golle use?

All hardware (zippers, buckles, snaps, clasps) is produced in Italy and coated in Palladium. Palladium is a precious metal in the platinum group that provides a cool, silvery finish with excellent resistance to tarnishing and corrosion. It complements the natural sheen of crocodile leather without competing visually.

What colours are available?

Marina De Golle's dye capabilities extend across virtually the full colour spectrum. Classic colours (black, cognac, brown) are always available. The brand is also known for vivid and unusual colours (powder blue, turquoise, green, yellow, pink) that are extremely rare in crocodile leather from other sources. Specific colours in our collection depend on current inventory.

Is Marina De Golle crocodile leather ethically sourced?

Marina De Golle sources Porosus crocodile skins through regulated farming operations in compliance with CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). Wild harvesting is prohibited for commercial use. All skins come with appropriate documentation verifying legal sourcing. Buyers should confirm CITES documentation accompanies any exotic leather purchase, which Konesseur provides with every Marina De Golle piece.

How do I care for crocodile leather?

Store in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight (UV causes fading). Avoid contact with water, alcohol, perfumes, and chemical cleaners. Use a specialist exotic leather conditioner once or twice per year to maintain suppleness. Do not fold or compress: crocodile leather can crack at fold lines if stored improperly. In Dubai's climate, keep pieces in a climate controlled space and use silica gel packets during storage to prevent humidity damage.

How does Marina De Golle compare to Hermès exotic leather?

Hermès uses exotic crocodile and alligator leather for its Birkin, Kelly, and Constance bags at the top of its product hierarchy. Marina De Golle uses the same grade of material (first category Porosus) but applies it across an entirely different product range: jackets, outerwear, shoes, and accessories that Hermès does not produce. The two brands are complementary rather than competitive. A collector might own an Hermès Porosus Birkin alongside a Marina De Golle Porosus jacket.

Can I custom order Marina De Golle pieces?

Marina De Golle accepts custom commissions through her Milan atelier for bespoke colour, size, and design specifications. Contact the Konesseur team for enquiries about custom orders, which typically require a longer lead time and a deposit. The custom process allows access to the brand's full library of over 4,000 material and fitting samples.

How many Marina De Golle pieces does Konesseur carry?

Konesseur currently carries 16 authenticated Marina De Golle pieces, one of the largest selections available through any retailer in the UAE. The collection includes jackets, bags, and accessories in various colours and configurations. Browse the full selection above or visit our boutique at Box Park on Al Wasl Road, Dubai for an in person experience.

Why buy Marina De Golle in Dubai?

Dubai's 5% VAT compared to European rates of 19% to 25% provides meaningful savings on high value exotic leather goods. On a Marina De Golle jacket at AED 200,000+, the tax advantage versus purchasing in Milan or Paris is substantial. Konesseur offers authentication, CITES documentation, and worldwide shipping from our boutique at Box Park on Al Wasl Road.