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Jane Birkin asks Hermès to remove name from crocodile-skin handbags

British actress, Jane Birkin described the process of obtaining the leather from the reptiles as cruel treatment

Customised Hermes Birkin  bag

The British actress, Jane Birkin has asked Hermès International SCA to remove her name from its iconic crocodile-skin purse because of what she called the cruel methods used on farms that raise the reptiles for their pricey skins.

“I have asked Hermès to un-baptise the Birkin Croco until better practices in line with international norms can be put in place,” the 68-year-old Ms. Birkin said.

Crocodile farms have become a target of the activist animal-rights group PETA. It posted a video on YouTube on June 23 that showed the reptiles at farms in Texas and Zimbabwe.

In the video, the crocodiles were crammed into concrete pits, and workers were hacking and skinning conscious animals.

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Hermès said on Wednesday that it was also shocked by the PETA video and that an investigation at the Texas farm is under way.

The company added that it doesn’t own the farm and that no skins from the Texas facility are used to make Birkin bags.

Celebrities are fond of Birkin bags, many willing to wait as long as it takes to sling one over their shoulders. AshleyTisdale, waited two years for a cobalt blue handbag. And Eric Johnson surprised Jessica Simpson with an orange one  for her 31st birthday.

Kim Kardashian West, Victoria Beckham and Jennifer Lopez have all been spotted carrying croc versions.

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