Behind every ostrich- or reptile-skin handbag was an individual who endured a life of pain and misery and was forced to live in filth before being hacked to bits.
PETA
Marc Jacobs is the latest luxury brand to stop the use of exotic skins in the manufacture of their products. They join other brands such as:
- Burberry
- Chanel
- Carolina Herrera
- Diane von Furstenberg
- Jean Paul Gaultier
- Karl Lagerfeld
- Nordstrom
- Stella McCartney
- Victoria Beckham
- Vivienne Westwood.
What are exotic skins? Here is another list:
- Ostrich: Known for its distinctive quill bumps, ostrich leather is soft, durable, and often used in luxury accessories like bags and wallets.
- Stingray: Stingray leather, also called shagreen, has a pebbled texture and is commonly used for watch straps and small leather goods.
- Elephant: Elephant hide is rare and prized for its durability. However, it’s subject to strict regulations due to conservation concerns.
- Kangaroo: Kangaroo leather is lightweight, strong, and used in high-performance footwear and sports equipment. Millions are shot in Australia. Literally millions.
- Lizard: Lizard skin has a scaly appearance and is popular for belts, boots, and handbags.
- Crocodile/Alligator: Crocodile and alligator skins are luxurious and come in various scales and finishes. They’re commonly used for high-end accessories and footwear.
- Frog: Frog leather is delicate and has a unique grain pattern. It’s less common but can be found in specialty items.
- Fish: Fish leather, such as tanned carp or salmon, offers a distinctive texture and is used in fashion and accessories.
Remember that exotic skins are both rarer than cowhide and more expensive, making them a unique choice for discerning leather enthusiasts.
Marc Jacobs banned these skins after PETA US shared information about traders abusing wild animals in the most horrendous way including some snakes being skinned alive.
Workers in the fashion industry inflate live snakes, shove metal rods down crocodiles’ spines, and electrically stun ostriches before slitting their throats in front of their flock mates – all in the name of fashion.
PETA
Yes, it is great to see a long list of businesses in the fashion market banning the use of exotic skins but it has come very late and after PETA’s great work. People criticise PETA but without their efforts it seems to me that it is likely that Marc Jacobs would still be part of a business that tortures animals for the skins on their backs.
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