The animal rights charity People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) staged a protest outside of the Hermès boutique on New Bond Street in London today, after implicating the luxury label in an investigation of the treatment of ostriches at slaughter companies in South Africa.
Three models — one wearing a sinister version of the swan dress Björk famously wore to the Oscars in 2001, transformed into a limp-necked, dead ostrich — held handbag shaped signs calling on Hermès to “Bin ostrich skin.” PETA’s website details the findings of its investigation in South Africa: “Workers were caught on camera striking ostriches in the face during transport, and when ostriches stumbled over a collapsed flockmate outside a slaughterhouse, a plant director joked, ‘I’ll call the animal welfare officer just now’.” They have also released the following video report, which some people may find upsetting:
PETA Associate Director Elisa Allen says, “With so many high-end and stylish cruelty-free accessories available, PETA is calling on shoppers to bin the animal skins and shop vegan.”
When contacted for comment by i-D, the French fashion house responded with the following statement:
“Hermés refutes claims made by PETA regarding the farming conditions of ostriches in South Africa and condemns this new groundless claim. Contrary to what the video broadcast by the association suggests:
- The farms shown in the videos do not belong to Hermès.
- Hermès operates at a secondary level within this industry.
- The small quantities of ostrich leather used by Hermès do not come from farms but tanneries which, as per all Hermès suppliers, are subject to permanent and stringent controls.
- Ostrich farming’s first vocation is the production of meat for food and feather production; both industries combined represent a bigger share than the production of leather.
- Farming conditions in South Africa are closely monitored by several independent institutions: NSPCA (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), SAVA (South African Veterinarian Association), DAFF (South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries).
“Hermès is always active and vigilant when it comes to corporate social responsibility,” the statement continues. “It carries out systematic checks on its suppliers and makes sure they strictly comply with local and international policies, and always strives to adhere to best practices in order to improve these policies.”
The statement concludes by referring to previous campaigns in which PETA have named Hermès, such as whenJane Birkin asked for the crocodile skin version of her namesake bag to be discontinued after evidence surfaced of crocodiles being skinned alive at a farm in Texas that supplies the brand. Hermès described the incident an “isolated irregularity,” and explained that Jane Birkin had been satisfied by the measures the brand has taken. Today’s statement from the brand concludes: “Hermès deplores the relentless attacks by PETA aiming to harm its reputation through a dishonest representation of the facts and a complete ignorance of the deep ethical commitment of Hermès to the fight against animal cruelty, as well as any other welfare concerns.”
Credits
Text Charlotte Gush
Photography courtesy PETA