British actress Jane Birkin asked Hermès International SCA to remove her name from its crocodile-skin purse after allegations surfaced of cruel practices on the farms where the animals are raised,
the
Wall Street Journal
reported.
Hermès said it was also shocked by a video posted by animal-rights group PETA. The company said it doesn't own the Texas farm shown in the video and that no skins from that facility are used to make Birkin bags, the
Journal
article said. “In the meantime, the luxury brand has sought the maintain cordial relations with Ms. Birkin, its top product ambassador,” the article said.
The idea for the bag came about in 1984, when Birkin was seated next to Jean-Louis Dumas, then the chairman of Hermès, the
Journal
article said. She complained that she couldn't find a large enough bag, and Dumas offered to develop a large but stylish creation.
The company said demand remains strong for the pricey and exclusive Birkin bag, according to the
Journal
report. (Source:
Wall Street Journal
, July 30, 2015.)
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