Thoughts on Jane Birkin's Namesake and Hermes Practices?

No I can’t, but if there is truly an issue behind how the alligators are treated, then I agree with Jane Birkin, she is a lovely down to earth no frills woman that doesn’t want her Name tarnished. I already read an article on line, a few weeks ago along with pictures, showing in which horrible conditions one the supplier is treating the animals. ( if those are really H suppliers and I think they are…)Living in Florida I don’t have much feelings for alligators, but would never want them or any other animals to suffer. If it is true I will never feel the same about H…

I wonder if my thoughts will sound just as lucid in the morning. Some late night musing, anyone feels the same way?

There is so much injustice in the world, from tainted milk powder, inhumane poaching, unfair mining practices, child slavary/labour, the list goes on. From the First World to the Third World. Categorically speaking, I do not condone animal cruelty of any form. Nor do I sanction wildlife hunting in the name of sport.

Down any supply chain, there will always be errant unscrupulous suppliers and Brands must, and should have sound and ethical procurement standards. Ostriches hurt too. Wagyu, foie gras, or sharksfin, by any other name, is what it is. Think Ivory Coast, have we stopped eating chocolates? (By this reference, I tear for the plight of the little hands on cocoa farms.)

Our consumption is personal, and we choose (responsibly) what we feel and think it’s right. I appreciate the beauty of croco, and rejoice on sight of my girlfriends’ lovely gator bags, but the husband prefers that I not consume exotic leathers. Instead, he would buy me jewellery, and this brings us yet to another topic of fair and sustainable gems and materials mining. As with free speech, there are choices. Life is full of electives, and we make them personal, respectfully.

The truth is – can we handle the truth – that the said Farm (and more of its kind that possibly also fell through the cracks) could have supplied skins to all the luxury Brands known and adored worldwide, as well.

We are all part of the urban food chain, with thousand shades of grey, and we cannot afford to be fatalistic. Unfortunately, the glaring spot is focussed on Hermes at this point in time. A call for ethical, sustainable, respectable sourcing that is vigilantly governed for compliance, arduous as it will be. So I say, the name doesn’t matter. It (the Birkin) is The Bag. The Internet is powerful, and if (all) the Brands are sitting up, and reading all the voices now, I urge them to do the right thing, and we can’t go far wrong.

I feel like it was a publicity thing maybe?! She’s kind of a hot mess as StyledGuy says! I don’t care who you are, actress, celebrity, a CEOs wife, anyone – you do not tell Hermes to do ANYTHING. ????. As we all know, they do what they please and we are but loyal subjects. I have a vintage alligator Kelly from 1987 that’s dear to me, and my gator Ricky and I’m ok with owning them because I know where the alligator was sourced, etc. I don’t think I could buy fur these days and prefer the amazing alternative – shearling! It’s amazing, they can dye it to look like anything and its very sumptuous. ??????

I think she is a mess, as StyledGuy said. And I think Hermes should change the name of the bag to Birken just to make her mad, haha?

I am very respectful of other peoples choices when shopping, but personally i don’t buy or wear exotics or fur. I love animals and it makes me sad to think about them suffering or dead because of a fashion choice that i make. (I confess i am particularly sensitive to crocodile) But that is my very personal feeling so i don’t judge anybody who does it. In Jane Birkins case i understand her preoccupation and am really respectful about her choice too.

Thank you morganxoxo for bringing this subject to BopTalk