Hermes Goes Farming- For Croc's

It’s one of the most coveted, most fashionable, and most expensive accessories out there- the Hermes Crocodile Berkin Bag.

I mean, it’s a gorgeous purchase, but do people really know the reality behind every clasp? People don’t recognize that it takes three or four crocodiles to make the £30,000 handbag. Nor do they realize that the saltwater crocodiles are being bred in Australia and then shipped off to Paris to be metamorphosed into some of the most du jour accessories on and off the runways.

But with all this popularity and negative impact on the animal kingdom Hermes has established its own alternative: breeding its very own crocodile farms in order to keep pace with the ever growing popularity of it’s crocodile embellished handbags.

Now, is this a good thing or a bad thing? This reptile is notorious for its fatal attacks on humans and yet it doesn’t prevent people from wearing their ever high quality skins, whether over their arms or on their feet. But it does seem sad no matter how recognized their skins are in the world, being as the most aggressive, they are the hardest to farm.

And yet they make some of the most beautiful things in the world. Each skin, like a fingerprint, are unique and expertly crafted, rising the products in value and price. I guess that’s the least you can ask for when this skin is one of the most expensive in the world.

But animal lover round the world don’t agree. PETA members think that not only should this “make fashionistas’ skin crawl” but that if Hermes wants to continue being a leader in the fashion industry it needs to relinquish the outdated idea of using true animal hides for fashion accessories and use substitutes, like faux fur and python, instead.

Hermes’ Australian managing director Karin Upton Baker said in opposition that the farms who supply their crocodile skins are in accordance with their regulation. Now, I know the farmers would obviously say that, considering big bonuses that come their way for every crocodile they sell, but what about the croc’s themselves? Guess no one sought to ask for their opinion, but I guess that’s why they’ve got PETA for their voice. In the meantime, walk ‘em or wear ‘em.