Why Does Jane Birkin Want Her Name Off The Hermès Birkin Bag?

Jane Birkin has asked Hermès to remove her name from their iconic bags. Photo: Getty Images

British actress and fashion icon Jane Birkin has asked Hermès to remove her name from their crocodile-skin handbag after learning about the 'cruel practices' used in it's production.

“Having been alerted to the cruel practices reserved for crocodiles during their slaughter to make Hermes handbags carrying my name ... I have asked Hermès to debaptise the Birkin Croco until better practices in line with international norms can be put in place,” Birkin said in a statement.

PETA have praised the 68-year-old for her actions in distancing herself from the bag which costs can cost up to $150,000 and is beloved by celebrities and the super-wealthy.

"Once, Birkin bags marked people as celebrities or at least members of the super-rich, but soon, no one will want to be caught dead carrying one, and animal advocates will then breathe a sigh of relief," PETA said in a statement.

Hermès have responded with a statement addressing the concerns and assuring the public that "any breach of rules will be rectified and sanctioned".

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. Hermès respects and shares her emotions and was also shocked by the images recently broadcast.

An investigation is underway at the Texas farm which was implicated in the video. Any breach of rules will be rectified and sanctioned. Hermès specifies that this farm does not belong to them and that the crocodile skins supplied are not used for the fabrication of Birkin bags.

Hermès imposes on its partners the highest standards in the ethical treatment of crocodiles. For more than 10 years, we have organised 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 organisation 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.

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