Jane Birkin tells Hermes: Take my name off the bag

Her action came after the animal-rights group PETA posted a video on YouTube last month that showed crocodiles at farms in Texas and Zimbabwe. Her comments do not in any way influence the friendship and confidence that we have shared for many years. “As a shareholder, PETA U.S. will work from inside to demand a permanent ban on accessories made from exotic animal skins, including crocodile skin bags and alligator skin watch bands”, said PETA’s United Kingdom director Mimi Bekhechi.

Hermes said it imposed on its suppliers the highest ethical standards regarding the treatment of crocodiles and for more than a decade, had conducted monthly checks on them to ensure that they were respected. Hermès respects and shares her emotions and was also shocked by the images recently broadcast.

“Having been alerted to the cruel practices reserved for crocodiles during their slaughter to make Hermès handbags carrying my name, I have asked Hermès to debaptise the Birkin croco until better practices in line with global norms can be put in place”, Birkin said. The person went back to the office with intentions of creating a bag in her honor.

They are the very definition of exclusive, so until now, Mrs. Birkin was thrilled to have her name so closely linked to the Hermes one. The Birken bag is not only fabricated with crocodile skins but calf-hair, lizard and other materials. The brand is known for quality and slow crafting luxury goods and the PETA issue seems uncharacteristic for the much coveted company.