Recently, I read this article on Hermes' strategy to meet the demands of their exotic bags. crocodile skin Birkins and Kellys. The article itself is quite old (it was released in 2009), but I think the issue remains valid.
In the article, it says that, it takes 3 to 4 crocodiles for Hermes to produce a single bag. And to quote a comment made by Peta's vice president, Dan Matthews:
“The thought of purposely breeding and killing crocodiles for an outdated, overpriced handbag should make fashionista’s skin crawl. If Hermes really wants to be a leader in the fashion industry, it should stop killing animals for cold-blooded vanity and use cruelty-free mock crock and fake snake instead.”
Now. There are three things that I don't agree with what Peta's vice president said.
First. To say that fashionistas are buying outdated bags in itself is just a silly, hugely stupid argument. They are called fashionistas not for nothing. Fashionistas are called fashionistas because they are always in trend, in fashion. And Birkins and Kellys are ALWAYS in fashion. Those bags are the hand equivalent of Chanel suits. No matter what colour, size, and materials used, they will always be in fashion. Also, Hermes never made anything that is outdated. Their products are more timeless than throwaway.
Second. Saying "The thought of purposely breeding and killing crocodiles for an overpriced handbag should make fashionista’s skin crawl." is also silly. Fashionistas or people who buy those bags are already know what they are buying. With a price tag of £30,000 a pop, they do (or at least, I do) expect Hermes to use the best of crocodile skin and do as much as they can to meet their £30,000++ expectations.
Third. Suggesting that for Hermes to be the leader in fashion industry they should use mock-crock and fake snake for their exotic accessories products is definitely in my top-3-most-stupid-suggestions-I've-ever-heard list. For the simple reason that is he is missing the whole point of a luxury brand such as Hermes. When people hear Hermes they either think "What is it?" or "It's a luxury brand". With luxury brands, such as that, people expect the highest of prices that is accompanied by the highest of quality in both materials and craftsmanship. Now, how do you expect to have the highest of prices that is accompanied by mock-crock or fake snake? Hearing the terms mock-crock and fake snake in itself is very unbecoming.
However, I do understand what Dan Matthews is saying. And it does sound cruel to breed crocodiles only for their skin and use 3 to 4 of them for one bag. But we need to put this issue into perspectives. You gotta think that at least Hermes is resorting to farming rather than poaching. Also, exotic accessories counts for the smallest of percentage in sales not only for Hermes, but the whole fashion industry.
And talking about taking things into perspectives.
I remember a comment on the article made by one of the readers saying that using crocodile skin for fashion accessories is harming the environment. This statement also made it to my top-3-most-stupid-arguments-I've-ever-heard list because producing other normal leather (cows, sheeps, etc) goods as harmful to the environment as producing crocodile or any other reptile skin accessories, also quite as severely.
Most leather bags are chrome tanned (90% of the world’s leather). Tanning is the process that turns raw animal skins into durable, lasting leather via tannins. Chrome tanning utilizes chromium sulfate and other salts of chromium, i.e. heavy metals, to tan leather and is terrible for the environment. So, really, to say that using crocodile skin for an accessory is more harmful than other skins is just silly.
Another thing. Keep in mind that our (human) impact on the global environment, is far, far bigger than all of the animals that we raise and slaughter for vanity. We’ve pushed entire species into extinction, destroyed habitats, changed the chemistry of the seas and the air. So before you can get all indignant about not buying an exotic skinned bag, think about the bigger picture of the impact your lifestyle already has, and you’ll find you’ve already probably killed more animals (both warm and fuzzy and slimy and scary) than Hermes has for one bag. And instead of worrying about these mahusively expensive bags, why don't we change our focus to a more cheaper kind of bags that are clearly way more harmful to the environment than leather bags? Those bags are called plastic bags!
Last thing. How about for this simple logic? If you don't like what Hermes does to produce their products, then don't buy any. And don't try to bother others who don't really care. Such as me.
If you really cared so much but still want to look fashionable, here's a solution. Why don't you try Stella McCartney? Her bags are great, and everything she makes uses absolutely no animal products – she is a vegan and all of her items are vegan-friendly. Her bags are gorgeous and stand the test of time, and her faux leather is very convincing.The best bit is, it's pretty much a little known fact. Or at least, people don't really talk about it.
xx.
Later.
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