Jane Birkin wants her name to stop being associated with the famous Hermes handbag.
The iconic actress and singer saw gruesome footage of a crocodile being killed for its skin on a Texas farm, prompting her to ask that the French brand look into its practices.
She said:
“Having been alerted to the cruel practices endured by crocodiles during their slaughter for the production of Herm├â┬¿s bags carrying my name ├óΓé¼┬ª I have asked Herm├â┬¿s Group to rename the Birkin until better practices responding to international norms can be implemented for the production of this bag.”
Hermes responded with this statement:
“Jane Birkin has expressed her concerns regarding practices for slaughtering crocodiles. Her comments do not in any way influence the friendship and confidence that we have shared for many years. Herm├â┬¿s respects and shares her emotions and was also shocked by the images recently broadcast.”
The company is also launching an investigation into the matter:
“An investigation is underway at the Texas farm which was implicated in the video. Any breach of rules will be rectified and sanctioned. Herm├â┬¿s specifies that this farm does not belong to them and that the crocodile skins supplied are not used for the fabrication of Birkin bags.”
“Herm├â┬¿s imposes on its partners the highest standards in the ethical treatment of crocodiles. For more than 10 years, we have organized monthly visits to our suppliers. We control their practices and their conformity with slaughter standards established by veterinary experts and by the Fish and Wildlife (a federal American organization for the protection of nature) and with the rules established under the aegis of the U.N.O, by the Washington Convention of 1973 which defines the protection of endangered species.├óΓé¼ΓÇ╣”
The Birkin is probably the most famous and coveted bag in the world.
Prices for a crocodile skin purse can range up to astronomical amounts, like THIS ONE for $120,000.
So many celebrities have one that we’ve lost count.
[Image via AP Images.]
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