Lionfish leather and python handbags: These accessories are made from exotic invasive animals

In photos: US startup makes leather from invasive snakes and fish 6 photos US company Inversa is making leather from invasive species including the Burmese python and the lionfish. The leather is used by fashion brands — like this Gabriela Hearst bag. Gabriela Hearst In photos: US startup makes leather from invasive snakes and fish

US company Inversa is making leather from invasive species including the Burmese python and the lionfish. The leather is used by fashion brands — like this Gabriela Hearst bag. Gabriela Hearst

Inversa CEO Aarav Chavda co-founded the company in 2020 in response to seeing the damage done to Caribbean coral reef ecosystems by invasive, venomous lionfish. Yamil Lage/AFP/Getty Images

The Burmese python is native to Southeast Asia but in Florida’s Everg